For three and a half periods, the Alliance boy’s basketball team went toe to toe with third rank Scottsbluff. But 14 straight fourth quarter points by the Cats was too much to overcome. The Bearcats would go on to post a 64 to 51 victory over Alliance in a contest played Friday in Scottsbluff. An Alliance basket early in the final period gave the guests a one point lead at 43 to 42 but it was all Cats after that. With the loss the Dogs now see their record drop to 5 and 13.
The first period saw both teams enjoy streaks in this seesaw affair. A free throw by Bulldog Jackson Norris gave Alliance a brief lead at 1 to 0. Following a Bluffs bucket, it was all Bulldogs. Alliance would score the game’s next 8 points to surge ahead 9 to 2. Points during the run by Bulldog Tristen Timbers, Filippo Bandera, and Seth Meyring powered the Alliance offense.
A three by the Bluffs stopped the run, but a 2 free throws by Dog Espen Lanik put Alliance out in front 11 to 5 at the five minute mark. Later in the quarter a hoop by Lanik gave the Dogs the lead at 13 to 8. The rest of the period saw the Bulldogs outscore the Cats. Points by Meyring, Timbers, and a three ball by Lanik gave the Bulldogs a lead of 21 to 13 at the end of the first. The Bearcat defense was stingy in the second, with Alliance only mustering 3 baskets. Meanwhile the Cats got their offense in gear against the Alliance 1-3-1 zone defense. Scottsbluff would tally 16 second period points to tie the contest at 29 at half. In the second, Alliance would get a Timbers goal, a 3 pointer by Lanik, and a 3 pointer by Meyring. A three by the Cats ended the half with the score knotted at 29.
Scottsbluff began the third with a three but the Bulldogs counter with 7 straight. Another score by Meyring was followed by a three by Timbers and a Lanik bucket as the Dogs took a 36 to 32 lead at the four minute mark. The rest of the quarter saw the teams trading threes with Meryring accounting for the one for Alliance. A basket by Meyring closed the scoring in period #3 with Alliance holding on to a 41 to 39 lead. The Cats would nail another three to begin the fourth before Norris answered with a 2 pointer which gave Alliance their final lead at 43 to 42. It was all Bluffs after that as the hosts would score the game’s next 14 points to move ahead 56 to 43 with under three minutes to play. Alliance’s Lexton Salcido would stop the run with a three that sliced the Bulldog deficit to 10. The end saw the Bluffs make their free throws to seal the win. A three by Lanik and another 2 pointer by Meyring was enough for the Bulldogs as Scottsbluff would go on for the 64 to 51 win.
ALL 21 8 12 10 51
SB 13 16 10 25 64
Meyring led the Alliance attack with18 points followed closely by Lanik who added 15. Timbers was good for 9 while scoring 3 each were Bandera, Norris, and Salcido.