By Cort Reynolds

The Bluffton High School boys basketball team went cold in the second half and lost 55-45 to Crestview in a Northwest Conference battle Friday night, January 6.

The Pirates trailed 18-11 after the first period, but rallied to lead 30-29 behind a big second quarter.

Carson Soper tallied eight of his 11 points in the second stanza on two treys to pace Bluffton to a 19-11 advantage.

But in the second half, the Knight defense clamped down and held the Pirates to just 15 points.

Crestview led 41-40 after three periods, and the Knights held Bluffton to five markers in the final stanza to win by 10.

Pirate sophomore Marek Donaldson canned three triples for nine points. 

Pirate Wade Ginther scored eight of his team-high 12 points in the first period. 

Defending league champion Bluffton dropped to 5-4 and 2-1 in the NWC after having their five-game win streak snapped.

Crestview improved to 8-1 overall and 2-1 in the NWC with the victory.

Senior Mitch Temple led the Knights with 17 points, and Wade Sheets added 15 markers. 

Bluffton connected on 17 field goals. Ten of their baskets came inside the arc, while they splashed seven three-point goals. 

Bluffton also converted four of eight attempts at the foul line (50 percent).

The Knights sank 23 shots from the field, canning 17 two-point goals and six treys. Crestview converted three of six shots from the charity stripe (50 percent). 

The Pirates committed 12 turnovers and the Knights made nine miscues.

Crestview 55 (8-1, 2-1 NWC)

Etzler 1 0-0 3, Putman 2 0-0 4, Kline 1 0-0 3, Temple 7 0-1 17, Hunter 3 0-0 6, Lichtle 2 0-0 5, W. Sheets 6 3-3 15, Easterling 1 0-2 2. 

Totals: 17-6/3-6/55. 3-pointers: Temple 3, Kline 1, Etzler 1, Lichtle 1.

Bluffton 45 (5-4, 2-1 NWC)

Donaldson 3 0-0 9, L. Ginther 0, Soper 4 0-0 11, W. Ginther 5 2-3 12, Worcester 0, Boblitt 1 1-3 4, Lora 2 0-0 4, Yoder 0 0-0 0, Hilty 2 1-2 5. 

Totals: 10-7/4-8/55. 3-pointers: Donaldson 3, Soper 3, Boblitt 1.   

1 2 3 4 F

Cvw 18 11 12 14 55

Bluf 11 19 10 5 45

Bluffton entertains winless Ft. Jennings (0-10) Saturday, January 7.