Bruin Boys Handle Sutherlin Surviving Late Bulldog Threat

January 21, 2024

Head coach Luke Beaman and the Bruin boys basketball team had a rare weekend tip-off as the 1-5 Sutherlin Bulldogs made the trip from Sutherlin Saturday afternoon.

Senior forward, Evan Orman, #25, hitting the 3 pointer, had 7 points.

A high energy Bruin team took the floor Saturday afternoon and jumped out to an early 9 point lead, keeping the Bulldogs off the scoreboard for much of the first half of the first. Running off of early Bulldog turnovers, the Bruins defense allowed only 8 Sutherlin points in the period, as the offense added to their lead hitting three 3-pointers, led by #20, senior Austin Dietrich, who hit two of those 3 pointers and led all scorers in the period with 8 points.

Senior, Austin Dietrich, #20, taking the foul on his way to the hoop.

In the second period, the Bulldogs began to shut down the key, cutting off passing lanes and pressing the Bruin ball handlers, holding the Bruins to just 4 points to start the second period. But the Bruin defense also continued to keep the Bulldogs offense from any runs holding Sutherlin to just 8 points in the period as the slowed Bruin offense had 4 players score in the period for 9 points as the Bruins went into the half time break leading 29-16.

Senior forward, Kyler Christensen, #15, hitting the outside shot for 2 of 4 points.

Sophomore, Patrick Hatch, #42, with the outside jumper.

The Bruins defense came out in the third determined to preserve their 13 point lead forcing Sutherlin turnovers and holding them to just 9 points in the period. Offensively for the Bruins, could only get 3 shooters on the scoreboard in the period led by junior, #12, Talen Pryor, who led all scorers in the period hitting three baskets and a freethrow for 7 of the Bruins 13 points in the period.

Junior point guard, Talon Pryor, #12, inside for 2 of his 13 points.

Taking a 17 point lead into the fourth, leading 42 -25 to start the quarter, Douglas changed tactics, pushing the ball inside and forcing the Bruin defense to foul and cooling off the Bruin shooters. The Bulldogs hit for 15 points early in the fourth, closing the gap to just 7 points after holding the Bruins to just 5 points early. Sutherlin continued to attack, hitting three 3 pointers and 7 freethrows for 22 points in the period, but the Bruins hit their freethrows as time ran off the clock, securing the 54-47 win.