Low scoring first and third quarters were too much to overcome for the Alliance girl’s basketball team Saturday in their contest at Pine Bluffs. AHS fell to the Hornets 54 to 44 and dropped to 2 and 8 on the year. The hosts roared to a 22 to 5 lead after the first and then held on for the win. Alliance also was defeated in the JV game, losing a 40 to 31 decision. Two freshmen-Reese Armstrong and Brinlee Lanik-were the Bulldogs top scorers. Armstrong netted 16 points while Lanik added 11.
Pine Bluffs control play in the first. The hosts scored 22 while the Dogs had just 5. A three by Lanik began the scoring for Alliance . The Dogs also got first period free throws by Armstrong and Brooke Bailey but it was PB making most of the plays. Alliance trailed by 17 after one quarter of action.
Momentum went to the side of the Dogs in the second. Alliance outscored Pine Bluffs 16 to 6 to slice their deficit to 7 at halftime. Buckets by Bailey and Lanik began things for AHS. Following a free throw by Armstrong, the Lady Bulldogs got hoops by Weber, Armstrong, and Paz Cody to stay in the hunt. The half came to a close with Alliance getting free throws by Bailey and a three by Cody. The scoreboard at half read Pine Bluffs 28. Alliance 21
Alliance would go cold in the third, tallying just 5 points. The Hornets increased their margin by scoring 12 in the period. A Lanik 3 was the lone Alliance basket in the period. It was followed by 2 free throws by Armstrong. Heading to the fourth, Alliance was down 40 to 26.
Action picked up in period #4. Alliance put 18 in the scoring column while the Hornets netted 14. A hoop by Armstrong was followed by another Cody 3. Two more baskets by Armstrong along with an Addison Weber deuce gave the Dogs 37 points. Lanik then sank 3 free throws as the Dogs got close. Unfortunately, the Hornets kept scoring as well to deny an Alliance comeback. The contest came to an end with Armstrong making one free throw and a three. Final Pine Bluffs 54 Alliance 44
All 5 16 5 18 44
PB 22 6 12 14 54
Scoring for Alliance. Bailey 5. Weber 4. Cody 8. Armstrong 16 Lanik 11
The Bulldogs will host Crawford on Monday.