Bluffton lost 51-29 to Liberty-Benton Saturday night, December 4, in a non-league home game.
The cold-shooting Pirates fell behind 18-6 early and were down 26-13 at halftime. L-B led 39-22 after three periods and cruised to the 22-point win.
Trenton Donley was the lone Pirate in double figures with 13 points. Marek Donaldson added seven markers.
Bluffton was unable to score more than nine points in any quarter.
Bluffton fell to 1-1 with the defeat, while L-B improved to 3-1 with the victory.
Eagle Cason Doolittle led all scorers with 21 points.
The Pirates connected on just 11 field goals, hitting eight two-pointers and three trifectas. Bluffton converted four of eight free throws (50 percent).
L-B sank two shots from three-point territory, and connected on 20 baskets inside the arc for a total of 22 field goals. The Titans canned five of their eight attempts from the charity stripe (63 percent).
Bluffton committed 27 costly turnovers. The Eagles were guilty of 17 errors.
Liberty-Benton 51 (3-1)
Parker 2 0-0 4, K. Garlock 1 0-0 2, Eckford 3 0-1 6, Conaway 3 0-0 6, Doolittle 8 5-7 21, L. Garlock 1 0-0 3, Hendricks 1 0-0 2, Collert 1 0-0 2, Hanni-Wells 1 0-0 2, Gerken 1 0-0 3.
Totals: 20-2/5-8/51. 3-pointers: Gerken 1, L. Garlock 1.
Bluffton 29 (1-0)
Donley 5 2-2 13, Soper 1 0-0 3, Kinn 0 2-4 2, Boblitt 1 0-2 2, Schaadt 1 0-0 2, Donaldson 3 0-0 7, Ginther 0.
Totals: 8-3/4-8/29. 3-pointers: Donley 1, Soper 1, Donaldson 1.
1 2 3 4 F
L-B 18 8 13 12 51
Blf 6 7 9 7 29
Bluffton opens league play at Delphos Jefferson (1-2) Friday, December 10. The Pirates then visit McComb (0-1) Dec. 11 in a non-conference battle.
The Pirate game vs. Ottawa-Glandorf Friday was cancelled and will not be made up.
