The Dalton Bulldogs entered the fourth quarter with a 12-point lead before Norwayne began their rally.
The Bobcats were one possession from tying late in the fourth quarter, but the Bulldogs pulled away late to win 59-52 to halt Norwayne’s rally and give them their first loss of the season.
Dalton (3-2, 3-0 in Wayne County Athletic League) pulled away by drawing two charging calls on back-to-back Norwayne (5-1, 3-1 in WCAL) possessions that resulted in turnovers.
This Bobcat charge was one of the few moments late in the game that @DaltonLocal HC Caleb Reed labeled as a turning point. pic.twitter.com/xRhk9flUlW
— Mark Perez-Krywany (@MarkPerezK10) December 24, 2020
“I credit my guys for weathering that storm,” Bulldogs’ coach Caleb Reed said after the win.
“They got two great charges. Erza Miller took a great charge for us and so did Liam Riggenbach.
Another contribution was Norwayne receiving a technical foul, that resulted in two made free-throws by Bulldog Braylon Wenger while also, by rule, gave the ball back to Dalton to run more time off the clock with 50 seconds remaining.
Dalton acquired a large lead courtesy of brothers Jalen (28 points) and Braylon Wenger (16 points). They were the main scorers for the Bulldogs as they combined for 44 of their 56 points
The brothers and the team were at their best in the second and third quarters.
Dalton went on a 10-0 run in the middle of the second quarter as Braylon Wenger scored 11 of his 16 points in the quarter.
“We had a lot of good teamwork out there in the second quarter,” coach Reed said.
“We were getting to the basket… We happened to find Braylon (Wenger’s) hands three times and he knocked them down. When we got Jalen (Wenger) back in the third quarter, he did a phenomenal job finishing plays.”
Their offense was efficient as they limited turnovers with zero in the second quarter and four in the second half.
“In a tight game, as it ended up being. Every possession matters,” coach Reed said.
“We did a really good job. We did have a couple of turnovers at the beginning of the game.., but the more you can take care of the basketball, you give yourself at least a chance to put that shot up.”
Right after coming back from halftime with a 30-23 lead, the Bulldogs went on a 7-2 run that evolved into a 13-3 run.
7-2 run to start Q3 for Dalton.@BobcatsSports @DaltonLocal pic.twitter.com/rXsEHeTfTO
— Mark Perez-Krywany (@MarkPerezK10) December 24, 2020
Norwayne responded in the fourth quarter. They put the pressure on Dalton to close the game out with a quick 5-0 run in the beginning of the quarter and a 10-2 run after the Jalen Wenger made back-to-back baskets.
Norwayne is making a rally in Q4. They trail 53-48.@BobcatsSports @DaltonLocal pic.twitter.com/5tWzpmnlgl
— Mark Perez-Krywany (@MarkPerezK10) December 24, 2020
Despite the valiant effort, it was not enough to come out with a victory.
Leading scorer for Norwayne was Justin Rupp with 20 points.
Here is the official scorebook from @DaltonLocal's 59-52 win over @BobcatsSports. pic.twitter.com/oUra1cfq3s
— Mark Perez-Krywany (@MarkPerezK10) December 24, 2020
Both teams will play their next game on Tuesday, Dec. 29 as Dalton will face Smithsville at home and Norwayne will face Waynedale on the road.
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