LOUISBURG — The Louisburg Wildcats handed the Baldwin Bulldogs their first loss of the season, 69-52, in the championship contest of the Bulldog-Wildcat Classic.

The taller Louisburg squad dominated the boards, getting numerous second-chance baskets and creating fast-break opportunities. Benefitting the most from the running game was Louisburg senior Mitchell McLellan, who got the home Wildcats off to a fast start with 12 first-quarter points and finished the night with a game-high 22.

Facing a 1-2-2 zone, the Bulldogs found open shots from the outside, primarily along the baseline, and in the lane. But too often, the Bulldogs couldn’t shots at the rim to fall.

“Rebounding, we missed too many easy shots, and we have them too many easy shots,” BHS coach Paul Musselman said is summary. “That’s what I said in the locker room.

“I think for a lot of our guys there’s still an adjustment period,” he said. “Some of them still aren’t comfortable. It’s more than a throw than a shot. They aren’t taking the extra moment to finish there shot.”

The Bulldogs will need to overcome their fear of opposing height if they are to be successful Tuesday at Paola. Musselman said the Panthers will have the tallest frontline his team will face this year.

Louisburg 20 18 14 17 - 69

Baldwin 11 16 14 11 - 52

Louisburg scoring: Jayce Geiman 8, Jacob Welsh 4, Mitchell McLellan, 22, Grant Harding 14, Dalton Ribordy 1, TJ Dover 25 (3-pointers, Geiman 2)

Baldwin scoring: Austin Ward 6, Hunter Ramierz 8, Nick Pattrick 3, Jeremy Williams 6, Henry Letner 2, Jayce Dighans 5, Jackson Barth 11, Tanner Jackman 5 (3-point baskets Ramiez 2, Pattrick 1, Willaims 2, Barth 1, Dighans 1)