In a ball game which was much closer than the final score indicated, it was the Bulldogs from Gering defeating the Bulldogs from Alliance 67 to 52. The contest was the season opener for both teams and was played Friday in Gering. Down just 2 with 3 minutes to play, Alliance was on the verge of a great comeback. Unfortunately it was Gering making their free throws-nine total- to seal the win. Alliance was down 50 to 36 early in the fourth before making a frantic rally. But it wasn’t enough. Gering also got the W in the JV game. The hosts down the Alliance junior varsity squad 63 to 47.
A Gering technical foul for dunking in warmups was how the ball game began. Alliance’s Tristen Timbers cashed in on the Gering mistake as the visiting Bulldogs went ahead 2 to 0. It was followed by a trey by Seth Meyring and a three ball by Timbers which gave the guests the early lead at 8 to 0. One free throw by Gering was answered by 2 free throws by Alliance’s Landon Crowe that pushed the Bulldog lead to 10 to 1. Another technical by Gering which was cashed in by a free throw by Timbers helped Alliance maintain their lead. With under 4 minutes left in the period it was Gering making 2 three pointers that closed the Alliance’s lead to 13 to 12. The quarter closed with a three by Meyring and the visiting Dogs ahead 16 to 12. Two free throws by Alliance’s Bert Trivino began the scoring in the second. It was followed by a Timbers basket and another three by Meyring that put Alliance up 23 to 16. With 4 minutes left in the half Alliance went scoreless. Meanwhile Gering would score the final 11 points of the half with a three, 2 free throws, and 3 baskets. At half Gering led 27 to 23.
Another Gering 3 began the scoring in the third while Alliance got free throws by Meyring and Crowe to keep close. Six straight points by Gering put the Alliance deficit at 13 midway thru the period. A huge three by Alliance’s Aiden Hancock plus 2 free throws by the Bulldog senior reduced the margin to 8. The quarter came to an end with points by A Dog Timbers and Filippo Bandera and Gering up 43 to 36. Seven early points by Gering was the now the final period started.
Down 50 to 36, Alliance turned to Timbers and Bandera who responded with Alliance’s next 8 points. Back to back scores from Timbers and Bandera was followed by a three by Bandera and a free throw by Timbers made the score Gering 50 to 44. A Gering 3 was answered by a trey by Alliance’s Espen Lanik and a Crowe free throw which closed the Alliance gap to 53 to 48.
Another three pointer by Lanik made things interesting at 53 to 51 but a 3 point play by Gering and a technical by Alliance gave the hosts the late momentum. Alliance could only muster a free throw by Crowe down in the final moments while Gering salted it away with 7 free throws. Final Gering 67 to 52.
ALL 16 7 13 16 52
GER 12 15 16 24 67
Timbers led Alliance scoring with 15 followed by Meyring with 12. Adding 7 was Bandera while Crowe finished with 5 points and 7 rebounds. Lanik netted 6 while Hancock had 5 and Trevino scored 2.