Lady Bulldogs add two wins

The Sundance Lady Bulldogs improved their conference record to 4-1 over the weekend with wins over the Big Horn Rams and the Wright Panthers. 

The Lady Bulldogs had a rocky start on Friday afternoon against the Rams, picking up two quick fouls before righting their ship and scoring six unanswered points. The Rams quickly recognized the shift in momentum and called a timeout to regroup. This pause in play was effective as the Rams tightened their defense and kept the score close, 13-15, in favor of the Bulldogs, after the first quarter.

The second quarter found the Rams struggling offensively, allowing the Bulldogs to capitalize and take a commanding lead. With the Rams held to single-digit scoring throughout the rest of the game, the Bulldogs cruised to a 51-21 victory.

Senior Lexie Marchant led the Lady Bulldogs for the night, putting up 14 points, securing seven rebounds and adding four steals in the game.

On Saturday, the Bulldogs were on the road to Wright for another conference matchup. Both teams faced a slow start, resulting in an 8-8 score at the end of the first quarter.

Despite the low-scoring start, the Bulldogs managed to find their stride throughout the second half of play, widening the scoring gap and securing a 40-32 win.

Jaylin Mills emerged as the top scorer for the Bulldogs, contributing 18 points for the night. Teammates Lexie Marchant and Aspen Jones helped to control the boards as each pulled down six for the game. 

The Lady Bulldogs will close out their regular season play this week as they travel to Moorcroft to face the Lady Wolves on Tuesday night and travel to face the Tongue River Eagles on Friday for their final conference matchup. 

Boys

Tensions were high as the Sundance Bulldogs hosted the conference rival, Big Horn Rams on Friday. From the opening tip, both teams began to flex their muscles in what would prove to be a very physical matchup.

An early technical foul on the Bulldogs settled both teams into their offensive grooves and the scoring began. Trading points and the lead throughout the first half, the score was deadlocked at 21 with seconds remaining.

As the seconds ticked away, the Rams were in possession of the basketball, pushing their way down the court, hoping for a last second shot. Finding an open spot behind the three-point arc, Big Horn's Caleb Gibson stepped up and nailed a three-pointer just as time ran out, giving the Rams a 24-21 lead at the half.

The Bulldogs continued to fight throughout the second half, hanging close, but unable to take the lead. A Big Horn foul, followed by a technical foul at the end of the third quarter sent Parker Skeens to the free throw line for four shots and an opportunity to narrow the scoring gap.

Skeens stepped up and sank all four shots, tightening the score, 39-41 in favor of the Rams, with one quarter of play remaining. 

The crowd was on their feet throughout the fourth quarter, hoping for the Bulldogs to overtake the Ram's electrifying offense. However, the Bulldog defense was forced to foul to regain possession, sending the Rams to the free-throw line in the final minutes of play.

Capitalizing on their opportunities, the Rams converted 14 of 18 attempts at the line in the final three minutes. Despite the Bulldogs' valiant efforts, the Rams' near-perfect performance from the free-throw line proved insurmountable. The Rams walked away with a 69-61 conference victory over the Bulldogs. 

Despite the loss, Keaton Mills, Parker Skeens and Eli Gill, all put up double digit scoring for the night. Mills put in an impressive 22 points, followed by Skeens who added 14 and Gill who chipped in 11 for the night.

There was no rest for the weary as the Bulldogs were on the road Saturday for another conference matchup against the Wright Panthers. It was a rough start for the Bulldogs as they struggled to get their offense moving.

The Panthers, on the other hand, found their groove and held to it throughout the night. Holding the Bulldogs scoreless throughout the fourth quarter of play, the Wright Panthers took a 61-34 victory.

The Bulldogs will wrap up their regular season schedule on the road as they travel to Moorcroft on Tuesday and Tongue River on Friday.

Stats

SHS Girls vs. Big Horn: 51-21

Scoring: Lexie Marchant 14 (2/2 FT), Mills 8 (2/4 FT, 0/1 3pt), Banker 8 (0/2 FT), Jones 7 (3/6 FT), Williams 6 (2/4 3pt), Gill 4 (2/4 FT), R. Marchant 3 (1/2 3pt), Karol 1 (1/2 FT)

Rebound leaders: L. Marchant 7, Mills 7, Karol 6, Williams 5

Steals: Haugen 4, L. Marchant 4

Assists: Williams 2

SHS Girls vs. Wright: 40-31

Scoring: Mills 18 (6/10 FT, 0/5 3pt), L. Marchant 6, Banker 5 (1/2 FT), K. Marchant 4 (1/2 FT, 1/2 3pt), R. Marchant 3 (1/5 3pt), Karol 3 (1/4 FT, 0/1 3pt)

Rebound leaders: L. Marchant 6, Jones 6, Mills 5, Karol 5 

Steals: L. Marchant 4, Jones 3, Williams 3

SHS Boys vs. Big Horn: 61-69

Scoring: Mills 22 (2/2 3pt), Skeens 14 (5/8 FT, 1/3 3pt), E. Gill 11 (1/1 3pt), Schommer 6 (1/4 FT, 1/3 3pt), Downey 3 (1/1 3pt), Lenz 3 (1/4 3pt), Watt 2 

Rebound leaders: E. Gill 8, Schommer 6

Steals: Schommer 2, Skeens 2

Assists: Skeens 7, Mills 5, Schommer 4

SHS Boys vs. Wright: 34-61

Scoring: Schommer 8 (5/6 FT, 1/8 3pt), Skeens 8 (1/2 FT, 1/3 3pt), Mills 8, E. Gill 6, Watt 4 (0/1 FT, 0/1 3pt)

Rebound leaders: Mills 6, E. Gill 4, Schommer 4

Assists: Schommer 2, Skeens 2, Mills 2

Steals: Schommer 2, Mills 2