Stifling defense leads Bulldog girls past Wildcats

SANDPOINT — Madi Schoening and Hailey Olin combined for 23 points, but it was a stifling man-to-man defense that keyed Sandpoint’s 41-20 win over Kellogg in nonleague girls basketball Tuesday night at Les Rogers Court.

The Bulldogs (9-5) have been focusing on defense in practice since the break, and the results were evident on the floor.

“We know that is the cornerstone,” said Bulldogs head coach Bill Bender of his team’s defense. “If we can lock down defensively, we’ll be in every game. They have bought into it and are now embracing it.”

Morgan Bluemer scored a season-high nine points, and is continuing to emerge as a force on the blocks.

“Morgan just knows what to do,” said Bender, who employs 10 players on a deep bench. “Her teammates know if the ball gets into Morgan, it will end up in the basket.”

Olin added seven rebounds and five assists.

Andee Wendt and Kenadie Arthur scored five each in defeat for the Wildcats (8-4), who struggled to find quality looks all night.

Sandpoint is at Moscow in a 4A North clash on Saturday.

Kellogg    5    4    6    5 — 20

Sandpoint 9    8   11  13 — 41

KELLOGG — Wendt 5, Roberts 2, Stewart 1, Sheppard 2, Carter 2, Arthur 5, McDonald 1, Chambers 1.

SANDPOINT — Couch 0, Williams 0, Schoening 12, Liband 2, Olin 11, Chatburn 5, Martin 0, Sunduist 2, Alamillo 0, Bluemer 9.