Lady Bulldogs beginning to see success as experience builds

ROSALIA–The Lady Bulldogs are starting to gel as a team, challenging Tekoa-Rosalia before the Lady Timberwolves put together a late rally for a 47-38 win, and the Touchet Lady Redhawks coming from behind to notch a squeaky-close 35-32 win over Dayton here December 19.

Dayton resumes the season January 5 at Garfield-Palouse then hosts Oakesdale on Saturday, January 6.

At Rosalia last Friday, the Lady Timberwolves growled ahead to a 9-2 lead after the first quarter, but the Lady Dawgs outscored T-R in the second stanza 11-10 for a 19-13 half time margin.

"We kicked it into gear coming out of the half," commented Head Coach Jorie Aukerman, "with a strong defensive presence and an offensive effort by Peyton Benavides for seven points."

Marissa Tupling was also on target with Benavides, draining a three and hitting a pair of gifters. Alexa Jones grabbed a missed free throw rebound and put it back for a 27-21 Dayton lead late in the third quarter.

Dayton managed to stay ahead of the Lady Timberwolves early in the fourth period but then they cobbled together a run, prompting a Bulldog time out. T-R maintained their momentum and finished with a 47-38 win.

Against Touchet, the Lady Bulldogs played with better defense and pressure in the second half but couldn't hold the Lady Redhawks back down the stretch while Dayton's offensive shots just weren't falling, Aukerman said.

"It was a tough first half," Aukerman commented. The team made only three of 33 attempts, missed eight three pointers and only made one of six free throws.

But in the second half, Aukerman said Grace Trump posted up and scored four points, followed by Teagan Culley's bucket to give the Lady Dawgs an 18-17 lead.

Starting the fourth quarter, Kameryn Tupling swished a three and Dayton built a 24-17 lead.

Touchet worked back in front with 3:30 to play, 27-24, but Culley lofted another three pointer to knot it 27 all.

In the end game, Touchet was up by six, 35-29 with 41 seconds remaining and Kameryn Tupling hit a free throw to make it 35-30. Marissa Tupling nailed a jumper with :14 to play and a 35-33 score.

Touchet's final shot missed and Lila Hutchens rebounded, the Dawgs calling time out with one second to go. The desperation long shot was short.

"It was the best defensive effort from the Dayton girls that I've seen," Aukerman said. "Shots just weren't going in."

Tekoa-Rosalia 47, Dayton 38 (12-22)

Day 2 11 16 9-38

TR 9 10 9 19-47

Dayton (38) Teagan Culley 4, Kameryn Tupling 3, Marissa Tupling 13, Lila Hutchens 4, Peyton Benavides 12, Alexa Jones 2. Free throws: 6/16-38%. FG(2)-10/44-23%. FG(3)-4/19-21%.

Tekoa-Rosalia (47) McKinley Chase 9, Briley Smith 3, Alyssa Babb 18, Clare Wilkins 2, Kayla Eilerston 10, Rubi Ramirez 2, Justina Crane-Whistocken 3. Free throws: 2/17-12%. FG(2)-12/53-23%. FG(3)-7.18-39%.

Touchet 35, Dayton 32 (12/19)

Day 6 1 11 14-32

Tou 10 3 4 18-35

Dayton (32) Teagan Culley 9, Kam Tupling 4, Marissa Tupling 4, Lila Hutchens 3, Peyton Benavides 6, Grace Trump 6. Free throws: 3/13-23%. FG(2)-10/52-19%. FG(3)-3/18-17%.

Touchet (35) Diana Rincon 14, Marielle Mendoza 13, Leah Lundberg 2, Emma Niemeyer 6. Free throws: 2/7-29%. FG(2)-12/36-33%. FG(3)-3/13-23%.