Dayton Girls Turn Up Heat Against Asotin

DAYTON - The Lady Bulldogs lost to Asotin, 61-52, Saturday but there was much to be optimistic about for Dayton players and coaches.

Despite the points on the scoreboard, Dayton had by far its best game of the season against the Panthers.

"That was the best effort we've had all year," head coach Clayton Strong said after the game. "Tonight we just relaxed and played. I think we overcame our fear of failure."

Asotin opened the scoring drive with a two-point shot and although Lady Bulldog Nicole Lambert answered it immediately, the Panthers quickly built a lead, overcoming Dayton's aggressive defense.

That protective shield around and inside the key triggered a number of Dayton fouls throughout the game, but Asotin converted only a small percentage of the free throw shots.

Closing in on the Bulldogs with a considerable height advantage and decent field goals, the Panthers kept up the pressure and left the score at 22-10 in their favor at the end of the first period.

The trend continued well into the second quarter with Asotin scoring a trey and Dayton struggling to contain its passing. With more field goals and treys, the Panthers took a commanding lead, but found the Bulldogs pawing their way back into the game with lay-ups and free throws from McKayla Bickelhaupt and a trey by Samura Miller just before the halftime buzzer. The Bulldogs outscored Asotin 12-8 during the second quarter, which ended, 30-22.

Energized by the secondquarter comeback and a firedup home court crowd, the Dayton girls were able to come within five points during the third quarter, which ended, 46- 36, in favor of the Panthers.

Strong said his guards did an admirable job limiting the number of dunks from tall seniors Jalisa Jose and McKayla Swearingen.

"I couldn't have been more proud of how (the Bulldogs) played those two (Panthers) as a team," he said. "I was really pleased with the effort."

Asotin barely outscored Dayton the third quarter 16- 14, starting the fourth with a 10-point scoring margin. Again, the Bulldogs struggled back to come within six points this time and outscoring the Panthers by one point.

It wasn't enough to overcome the margin Asotin had built up during the first and third periods and the Lady Dogs ended nine points behind, 61-52. But it was enough to put smiles on the players' faces.

"I felt it went pretty well," Bulldog Malia Frame said. "We're finally coming together running our offense. Our attitudes were better - we were more motivated."

Dayton vs. Asotin 52-61

Day 10 12 14 16 - 52 Aso 22 8 16 15 - 61

McKayla Bickelhaupt 18

Shelby Smith 11

Courtney Fuller 9

Samura Miller 7

FT 15/22 68%