DECATUR -- The Decatur Bulldog senior basketball team returned to Peterson Gym for its first home game of the season Nov. 25. Their opponent, the Mastiffs of Fayetteville's Haas Hall, proved too powerful in the second half as they handed Decatur its second loss of the season, in overtime.
The game began slow with neither team scoring in the first minute and half of play. Then the Bulldogs hit the first two-point bucket of the night. Haas Hall followed two minutes later with their first bucket. By the end of the first period, Decatur held a three point lead over Haas Hall, 10 to 7.
Decatur held the lead until the six minute mark, when Haas Hall put up a shot for two, giving them a one point advantage. But that would last only a few seconds until the Bulldogs pulled back in front of the Mastiffs, taking a one-point lead into the locker room at the half, 18 to 17.
The Mastiffs came out of the locker room a different team, a more aggressive team. They quickly overpowered the Bulldogs and, with two minutes left in the third period, commanded an eight point lead. As the period ended, the Bulldogs managed to shave two points off of the Mastiff lead, 30 to 24.
But Decatur never quit and soon they were within two points of Haas Hall, with less than a minute to play in the game, Victor Urquidi hit a two-point jumper from the key to tie the game and send it into overtime.
In the end, the Mastiffs overpowered the Bulldogs, hitting shot after shot to hand Decatur its first defeat at home, 54 to 45.
Decatur falls to a 1 and 2 overall record.
"This was a tough game for us. We could never get going and we didn't capitalize on the easy shots and free throws," said John Unger, head basketball coach. "This loss hurts, but it also showed us that we have to take advantage of everything in this game."
"We cant just show up and think we are good enough to win. We have to do all the little things and get back to work," Unger said. "We will learn from this game and get better."
One of the rising stars in the game was sophomore Bracy Owens, a member of the super sophomore class. For Owens, this was his first time as a starter for the senior Bulldog team. He gained valuable experience during the summer when the Bulldogs participated in the Gentry Summer League last July. Since that time, he has gained more confidence in his ability as a basketball player and a few inches in height as well. Owens, along with his other sophomore team mates, will be the one to watch as the season progress.
Leading scorer for the Decatur Bulldogs was Mario Urquidi with 16 points and 14 rebounds, another double-double.
Bulldog scorers include: Victor Urquidi - 11 points and 5 rebounds, Terry Kell - 8 points and 3 rebounds, Bracy Owens - 5 points with 2 rebounds, Jay Porter - 2 points with 1 rebound, Pheng Lee - 2 points with 5 rebounds, and Kyle Shaffer - 1 point with 3 rebounds.
The lady Bulldogs lost their game against the Lady Mastiffs, 50 to 23.
Sports on 12/03/2014