Bulldogs take big victory at home against Saints

Photo by Mike Eckels Decatur’s Levi Newman (15) pulls down a rebound in the second quarter of the Decatur-St.Paul conference matchup at Peterson Gym in Decatur Jan. 20. The Bulldogs took the victory in the 2017 Colors Day game, 63-26.
Photo by Mike Eckels Decatur’s Levi Newman (15) pulls down a rebound in the second quarter of the Decatur-St.Paul conference matchup at Peterson Gym in Decatur Jan. 20. The Bulldogs took the victory in the 2017 Colors Day game, 63-26.

DECATUR --The Decatur Bulldogs continued their struggle for a victory on the road as they traveled to Eureka Springs to take on their long-time rival, the Highlanders, at the Eureka Springs High School Gym on Jan. 17.

The Highlanders jumped out in front early in the first quarter, but a late rally by the Bulldogs pulled them to within four points going into the second. Decatur picked up a little momentum and outscored Eureka, 13-11, in the second quarter, but the Highlanders held on to a two-point lead going into the halftime break.

Eureka continued to maintain a narrow lead throughout much of the second half, but Decatur was able to pull to within one point late in the final quarter. A series of shots by the Highlanders in the final minute of play gave them a five-point advantage and eventually the 55-50 win over the Bulldogs.

Decatur 63

St. Paul 26

Decatur returned home to play in the Jan. 20 colors day basketball contest against the St. Paul Saints at Peterson Gym.

The Bulldogs were the first to score on a three-pointer by Bracy Owens in the opening minute of the first quarter. Decatur held St. Paul to only two points in the first eight-minutes of play to take a 13-2 lead going into the second quarter. Decatur hit hard during the second quarter and built an 18-point lead by the half.

The Bulldogs continued to dominate after the break and opened up a 37-point lead over the Saints in the third, finishing up by a score of 59-22 and implementing a running clock for the final quarter. Only eight points were scored in the remaining eight-minutes of the contest, four on each side. Decatur posted its first conference victory, defeating St. Paul, 63 to 26.

"The guys came to play tonight! Our pressure defense made it hard for St. Paul to score and we took advantage on the offensive end," said John Unger, Decatur boys' basketball coach. "Our guards shot the ball well tonight and that makes a huge difference for our team. We have played two good games in a row, with great pressure defense and have shot the ball well both games."

Leading the scoring for Decatur was Leng Lee with 16, followed by Bracy Owens with 13, and Taylor Haisman with 11. Other Bulldogs in scoring range included Jimmy Mendoza with 6, Wyatt Bingham with 5, Alex Lee, Levi Newman and Jay Porter, all with 3, and Ryan Ross with 2. Lee, Owens and Haisman all had three 3-pointers each.

"If we can continue to improve, we will make a postseason run," Unger said. "As their coach, I was happy for them and I'm proud of the way we have fought back and how the guys continue to work hard and improve each week."

The Bulldogs return to Peterson Gym Jan. 27 when they take on the Lead Hill Tigers in another conference matchup. Game time is at 6 p.m.

For a complete list of remaining Bulldog basketball games, go to decatursd.com/athletics/schedules.

Sports on 01/25/2017