By Cort Reynolds
CONVOY - Visiting Bluffton rode a 22-9 third quarter outburst to defeat defending state champion Crestview 58-40 in Northwest Conference boys basketball play Friday night.

Bluffton led only 19-18 after a low-scoring first half. But the Pirates outscored the Knights 39-22 after halftime to win going away.

Senior Luke Denecker led the victors with 22 points, 13 of which came after intermission. Classmate Mason Soper added 11 markers. Senior Jared Piercefield added nine points, and junior Nic Essinger tallied all eight of his markers in the fourth period.

The Pirates improved to 5-0 overall and 2-0 in the NWC with their second straight victory over Crestview, while the slumping Knights fell to 2-5 and 0-2 with the defeat.

The Pirates connected on 22 baskets from the field, including five from three-point range. The Pirates shot nine for 12 from the charity stripe (75 percent). 

The Knights knocked down 17 field goals, with four coming from three-point land. Crestview converted just two of six at the charity stripe (33 percent).

Gavin Etzler led the Knights with 12 points on four three-point goals. Kalen Etzer added eight markers.

Crestview 40 (2-5, 0-2 NWC)
K. Etzler 3 2-4 8, G. Etzler 4 0-0 12, Brecht 1 0-0 2, Joseph 1 0-0 2, Kreischer 3 0-2 6, Ward 4 0-0 8, Lichtle 1 0-0 2.
Totals: 17/2-6/40. 3-pointers: G. Etzler 4.

Bluffton 58 (5-0, 2-0 NWC)
Schriner 2 0-0 4, Garmatter 1 0-0 2, Soper 4 2-4 11, Piercefield 3 3-4 9, Denecker 7 4-4 22, Essinger 4 0-0 8, Hohenbrink 0, Ault 1 0-0 2, Schaadt 0. 
Totals: 22/9-12/58. 3-pointers: Denecker 4, Soper 1. 
 
    1    2    3    4    F
Cvw    4    14    9    13    40
Blf    8    11    22    17    58

Bluffton hosts its annual Holiday Tournament December 27-28. Continental (2-6) plays tough Arlington (6-1) Friday, December 27 at 6 p.m. in the first semifinal.

The unbeaten Pirates host Cory-Rawson (2-4) in the second semifinal at approximately 7:45 p.m. on Dec. 27. The Hornets lost 65-50 to Ada Dec. 21, while Bluffton beat the Bulldogs 61-44 Dec. 13.

The consolation game between the two semifinal losers Saturday, Dec. 28 will tip off at 4:30 p.m. Then the championship contest follows about 15 minutes after its conclusion.