The Alliance boys’ basketball team found themselves in a promising position midway through the second quarter of their Friday matchup against Sidney. A three-pointer had cut the Bulldogs’ deficit to just six points, trailing 17-11. However, a dominant 17-1 run by the Red Raiders shifted the momentum entirely, propelling Sidney to a commanding 75-45 victory on their home court. With the loss, Alliance’s record now stands at 13-10 for the season. The teams had split their previous matchups, with the Bulldogs winning by 11 in December and Sidney claiming a 36-point victory in January. Junior Espen Lanik led Alliance with 18 points, while Seth Meyring added 12. Sidney also secured a win in the junior varsity game earlier in the evening, defeating Alliance 68-61 to conclude the JV season.
Meyring was instrumental for the Bulldogs early in the game, scoring the team’s first six points in the opening quarter. Sidney opened the scoring with a three-pointer, but Meyring responded with back-to-back baskets to give Alliance a brief 4-3 lead. The teams traded scores, with Meyring adding another basket to keep the Bulldogs within one at 6-5. However, Sidney seized control with a 9-0 run, taking a 14-6 lead with just over a minute remaining in the quarter. A late basket by Lanik trimmed the deficit, and the first quarter ended with Alliance trailing 14-8.
The second quarter began with an old-fashioned three-point play by Sidney, but Alliance answered with a three-pointer from Trevor Zurn. From there, the Red Raiders took over, embarking on an 11-0 run that included two three-pointers, a free throw, and two two-point baskets, extending their lead to 28-11. A free throw by Lanik briefly halted the run, but Sidney scored the next six points to push their advantage to 34-12. A late basket by Payton Boyer ended the half, with the Bulldogs trailing 34-14.
Sidney’s offense continued to shine in the third quarter, as they scored 21 points to put the game out of reach. The Red Raiders opened the period with four straight points, increasing their lead to 38-14. Zurn and Lanik combined for five points, but Sidney responded with an 8-3 run to extend their lead further. Lanik hit another three-pointer, and Meyring and Boyer added baskets, but the Bulldogs still faced a daunting 55-28 deficit heading into the final quarter.
The Red Raiders maintained their offensive rhythm in the fourth quarter, scoring 20 points to secure the win. Sidney opened the period with two three-pointers and a two-point basket, while Alliance managed only a free throw from Zurn. Lanik and Meyring contributed baskets to keep the Bulldogs competitive, and Lanik added a three-point play and two free throws to bring his total to 18 points. Lexton Salcido hit a late three-pointer, and Meyring and Lanik added final baskets, but it wasn’t enough to close the gap. The game ended with Sidney claiming a 75-45 victory.
Scoring Summary:
ALL: 8 | 6 | 14 | 17 — 45
SID: 14 | 20 | 21 | 20 — 75
Bulldogs Scoring:
Espen Lanik: 18 points
Seth Meyring: 12 points
Trevor Zurn: 8 points
Payton Boyer: 4 points
Lexton Salcido: 3 points
Alliance will travel to Scottsbluff on Wednesday for the opening round of Sub-Districts.