By Cort Reynolds
BLUFFTON - The host Bluffton boys basketball team rolled up big numbers in the middle quarters en route to an 80-48 blowout of Bath in their non-league season opener Friday night.

CLICK for more photos by Marvin Foster

The high-scoring Pirates broke open a close game by blowing out Bath 53-28 over the second and third periods.

The Pirates improved to 1-0 with the lopsided victory, while Bath fell to 0-3 with the defeat.

Mason Soper led four Pirates in double figures with a game-high 22 points. Luke Denecker contributed 20 points, while Jared Piercefield and Levi Hohenbrink each added 11 markers.

The Pirates led just 14-12 after one period of play. But Bluffton pulled ahead 37-26 at halftime with a 25-14 second quarter. They then backed it up with a 28-14 third stanza that put the game well out of reach.

Jonah Wauben topped Bath with 16 points, while Derek Grisgby scored a dozen.

Bluffton canned 25 baskets, including nine three-point goals. The Pirates converted 21 of 30 from the charity stripe (70 percent).

The Wildcats sank 17 field goals and two three-point baskets. Bath hit on 12 of 18 at the foul line (67 percent). 

 
Bath 48 (0-3)
Grigsby 3 6-7 12, Wauben 6 3-4 16, Parlapiano 3 1-3 7, Stahr 2 1-2 5, Armentrout 1 0-0 3, Prichard 2 1-2 5.
Totals: 17/12-18/44. 3-pointers: Wauben 1, Armentrout 1.

Bluffton 80 (1-0)
Schriner 0 4-6 4, Garmatter 1 1-2 3, Soper 8 3-3 22, Shutler 1 0-0 2, Piercefield 4 2-2 11, Denecker 6 6-7 20, Essinger 1 3-6 5, Schaadt 0 0-1 0, Hohenbrink 3 2-2 11, Ault 1 0-1 2.
Totals: 25/21-30/80. 3-pointers: Soper 3, Hohenbrink 3, Denecker 2, Piercefield 1.
 
    1    2    3    4    F
Bath    12    14    14    8    48    
Bluf    14     25    28    13    80

Bluffton visits always-tough Liberty-Benton (1-1) in a non-league game Saturday night.