By outscoring Alliance 18 to 5 in the third period, Pine Bluffs was able to post a 53 to 38 win over the Bulldogs on Saturday. The contest was played in Pine Bluffs. Alliance trailed by just 3 at halftime but a cold shooting third enabled the Hornets to get the victory . Leading the offense for AHS were Espen Lanik and Creighton Fritzler who both tallied 8 points each. The Bulldogs fell to 5 and 5 on the year. Alliance did win the JV affair, besting PB 53 to 33. Jaxon Poss led Dogs with 18 while Riley Best tossed in 16. Also ending in double figures was Angel Red Nest who added 12 points on 4 three pointers.
Period 1 was a close one. The hosts scored 13 while Alliance put 10 into the scoring column. A free throw by Jaden Guerra began the scoring for Alliance. It was followed by a three by Devin Graham. Later in the period, AHS got deuces from Braeden Clarke and Lanik to keep in the game. The period closed with 2 free throws by Lanik and the Hornets ahead 13 to 10.
Both clubs would score 9 tallies apiece in the second. Early baskets by Fritzler and Lexton Salcido gave the Dogs hope. Alliance then got points by Best and Trevor Zurn to keep pace. The Dog’s final hoop in the half came for Guerra. At halftime, Pine Bluffs had a 22 to 19 advantage.
Alliance would muster just 5 points in the third. Meanwhile, the hosts tallied 18 to build a big lead. Fritzler had a hoop to start the scoring. It was followed by a Clarke free throw. Alliance’s final third quarter goal came from Lanik. Going to the final period, the Hornets were up 40 to 24.
Fourteen fourth quarter points kept an Alliance comeback possible. Unfortunately, Pine Bluffs scored 13 in the period to maintain their margin. Three pointers by Zurn and Lanik plus a 2 by Salcido had the board read Alliance 32. But the hosts were up for the challenge as PB held on to the lead. Back to back buckets by Fritzler ensued as AHS made one last push. The contest closed with the Bulldogs getting free throws by Tanner Salcido and the Hornets getting the win 53 to 38
All 10 9 5 14 38
PB 13 9 18 13 53
Scoring for Alliance. Lanik 8. Graham 3. Lexton Salcido 5 Fritzler 8. Zurn 5. Tanner Salcido 2. Clarke 3. Best 1. Guerra 3
The Dogs to go Bridgeport on Friday.