Bulldogs defense suffocates Tigers
SANDPOINT — The Bulldogs were in control from start to finish Thursday night as they took down Timberlake 49-39 to complete a season sweep of the Tigers.
Senior Ryan Roos jump started the Sandpoint boys early on scoring 6 first quarter points.
The Bulldogs then went on a 12-3 to start the second quarter to take a 25-14 lead into halftime.
Sandpoint built an even bigger advantage in the third quarter as the Tigers continued to struggle finding open looks against a pesky Bulldogs defense. Sandpoint led 36-20 after three.
Early in the fourth quarter, Sandpoint made a handful of unforced errors allowing Timberlake to chip away at the Bulldogs lead. With about two and a half minutes left, the Tigers were able to pull within 6 points.
But the Bulldogs found a way to execute key plays down the stretch and a Roos layup with about 10 seconds left sealed the deal.
Head coach Wade Engelson said his team played “excellent” defense and he was happy his team found a way to get it done late.
“We’re lucky we were able to recover enough and hold on,” he said. “That’s an area we have to continue to work on is understanding when we’re winning, executing our stuff and taking care of the ball because when you turn the ball over it gives them extra possessions.”
Roos led the team with 15 points and 10 rebounds while senior Brandon Casey came off the bench and tallied 12 points and 11 rebounds. Senior Kobe Banks also scored 12 points.
Engelson said Casey showed up Thursday night for the Bulldogs.
“He was huge,” he said. “He was amazing out there. He’s getting back into the basketball groove. He rebounded everything and made some great passes ... if we had to hand out game balls he would get one, they’re just too expensive to hand out.”
Sandpoint (3-2) competes in the Eagle Classic next Thursday against Medical Lake and Friday against East Valley.
Timberlake 9 5 6 19 — 39
Sandpoint 13 12 11 13 — 49
TIMBERLAKE — Menti 3, Higgins 0, Paslay 0, Yetter 8, McDonald 1, James 16, Dickinson 5, Simpson 6.
SANDPOINT — R. Roos 15, Banks 12, Niemela 3, Eldridge 4, VanDenBerg 0, Lee 0, C. Roos 2, Treadaway 0, Lane 1, Casey 12, Butler 0, Moore 0.