<\/p>\n
The Dolores Bears turned up the pressure on the Nucla Mustangs on Saturday.<\/p>\n
Nucla would inbound the ball, the Bears would steal it and break away for an easy layup.<\/p>\n
Lather, rinse, repeat.<\/p>\n
Dolores\u2019 swarming defense vaulted them to an early 15-0 lead and they would not look back.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe thought from the scouting report that we were going to be the faster team, so we just wanted to get a fast start and put doubt in their minds,\u201d said head coach Larry Schwartz. \u201cThen just keep playing hard the rest of the game.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jalen Balderrama scored nine first quarter points, finishing with a team-high 17, and the Bears went into halftime with a 39-18 lead.<\/p>\n
With a five-in-five-out substitution pattern, the Bears were able to keep fresh legs on the floor and continue their stifling defense.<\/p>\n
They extended the lead to 40 in the third quarter, holding the Mustangs to just four points, and then outscored Nucla 16-3 in the final frame to win 77-25.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe did a better job of boxing out tonight than we did the other night, and we got our fastbreak going,\u201d Schwartz said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAll of the boys did really well and we were able to go five-in-five-out and just keep pressure on with all of our speed.\u201d<\/p>\n
Balderrama led with 17 points, Ben Lykins and Justin Purkat each scored 11, Josh McCoy added eight and Branden Donaldson and Tristen Medina each chipped in seven.<\/p>\n
The win moves the Bears to 2-3 on the season, with a home contest against undefeated Ignacio (4-0) next on Thursday, Dec. 17 at 7 p.m.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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