By Cort Reynolds

LIBERTY CENTER__The visiting Bluffton girls basketball team fell victim to a huge third quarter outburst and lost 67-39 at state-ranked non-league foe Liberty Center Saturday afternoon.

The Pirates trailed just 15-13 after the first period as Ashley Fleece drained a pair of triples.

Bluffton hung within 29-21 at halftime. But then LC poured in 28 third period points to seize a commanding 57-33 lead.

LC won the final stanza, 10-6.  

The Pirates fell to 7-12 with the road defeat. Meanwhile, the Tiger girls improved to 16-2 with the victory.

“I thought we battled and competed very well in the first half against a top 10 team in the state,” said Pirate girls head coach Adam Burris.” We had two girls injured in the second quarter that took two solid contributors for us in Macy Schaadt (head) and Gracie Warren (black eye).

“Going into halftime down by eight, we knew they would make a run but they blitzed us in the third quarter, and we couldn’t answer their run,” Burris continued.

“I was happy with our effort,” he added.

Lauren Bassett led the Pirates with 10 points. Sophomore Blair Utendorf contributed nine markers. Vanessa Cross and Fleece added six points apiece.

Emerson Gray led LC with 21 points and five triples. She netted 10 points in the second period.

Brea Barrett added 10 markers. Molly Perry scored all eight of her points in the third period outburst. Ten Tigers hit the scoring column and five players made treys for the victors.

The Pirates canned a dozen two-point goals and made three treys. Bluffton converted eight of 13 free throws (62 percent).

LC nailed 14 deuces and drilled a whopping 11 trifectas. The hosts converted four of seven foul shots (57 percent).

Bluffton was outscored 38-18 in the second half.

The Pirate girls host tough non-league foe Bath (13-6) Tuesday. Bluffton (1-5 NWC) then resumes league play at home vs. Columbus Grove (15-4, 5-1 NWC).

“We have to play two quality opponents (this week), we will have our hands full,” said Burris. “Bath has great size and young guards that pressure you a lot.

“Grove has a great player in (Lauren) Auchmuty,” he continued. “If we fight like we did against Liberty Center, then I would be happy with that.”
 

LC 67 (16-2)

Gray 8 0-0 21,
Mohler 2 -0 4,
Keller 1 1-2 3,
Perry 3 0-0 8,
Miller 1 0-0 3,
Jones 2 0-0 6,
Hageman 1 0-0 2,
Barrett 3 1-3 10,
Blanton 4 0-0 8.

Totals: 1-/-1/. 3-pointers:  Gray 5, Perry 2, Barett 1, Jones 2, Miller 1.

Bluffton 39 (7-12)

Burkholder 0 0-2 0,
Hobensack 1 2-2 4,
Cross 2 1-3 6,
Fleece 2 0-0 6,
Dearth 0 0-0 0,
Schweingruber 0 0-0 0,
Warren 0 0-0 0,
Schaadt 0 0-0 0,
Utendorf 4 1-2 9,
Bassett 5 0-2 10,
Grandey 1 2-2 4.

Totals: 12-3/8-13/39. 3-pointers: Fleece 2, Cross 1.

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