Bulldogs drop a pair in Cheney

CHENEY — Brittany Oakley had another solid game in defeat, scoring 15 points as the Bulldogs fell to Cheney 53-38 Tuesday in the opening round of the Cheney Tournament.

"She just looked fresh," said Jim Alsager, whose team had lost the night before to Coeur d'Alene, the No. 1 ranked team in Idaho. "A few of the girls looked a little slow. Brittany probably could have had 25 points tonight."

Alsager was happy that his team is beginning to get more shots up, but was hoping they could have made more than 15 or the 56 attempts they hoisted against Cheney.

"We're getting good looks, it was just fairly cold shooting," said Alsager, looking at the positives. "Our turnovers are down, we're getting more boards and more shots."

Alissa Tenuto had six points and seven rebounds, and Alsager says she's getting more comfortable and it is taking pressure off his young guard trio of Oakley, Kim Guercio and Christina Johnson. Johnson scored five, and Lynn DiBenedetto had six points and five rebounds for the Bulldogs (1-9).

Thursday they will play the loser of Lewiston and Lakeside, Wash., in the 3rd place game of the tournament.

Cheney — 15 14 15 6 — 53

Sandpoint — 12 8 7 1 — 38

SANDPOINT — Oakley 15, Hohnson 5, Windju 0, Fuqua 0, Guercio 4, McNeal 2, Tenuto 6, DiBenedetto 6.

? Lakeside 41, Sandpoint 35, OT

Mat Lawrence had double figures in points and rebounds, leading the Bulldogs (3-2) with 11 points as they lost 41-35 in overtime to Lakeside, Wash., in the first round of the Cheney Tournament.

"Lawrence stepped up and played really well," said coach Tyler Haynes. "He had a ton of rebounds against a big and physical team."

Drake Hanson added seven points as the Bulldogs played without two of their starters.

They play in the 3rd place game tonight in Cheney.