SUTHERLIN — The Sutherlin boys opened a new era under coach Willis New with a victory in the first round of the Bill Spelgatti Invitational Basketball Tournament at Sutherlin High School on Thursday.

The Bulldogs rode a big second quarter and some hard-nosed defense to pull away from South Umpqua for a 47-29 victory to advance to the semifinals of the tournament Friday.

Sutherlin outscored the Lancers 16-4 in the second period for a 22-15 halftime lead. They built the lead to 32-19 after three quarters and continued to build on it, despite hitting only 3-for-15 from the free-throw line.

New, who coached the Bulldogs in the 80s and 90s before retiring from coaching,  said he felt for the first time out, with such an inexperienced team, he was very pleased.

“The played with the intensity we’ve been asking them to play with, and boy I can’t fault that, especially since we were rotating in three freshmen. I felt like we got good play from everybody that went in,” said New.

Marshal Warmouth, a senior transfer from Roseburg, led the Bulldogs with 12 points including a pair of threes, and freshman Mason Gill had 11.

Cody Gray led the Lancers with nine points.

The Bulldogs will take on North Douglas in the semifinals Friday night at 8:30 p.m. and South Umpqua will play Lakeview at 2:30 p.m. Friday afternoon.

SOUTH UMPQUA (29) — Cody Gray 9, Cole 5, Warner 4, Gross 4, Johnson 3, Thompson 2, Penn 3, Westbrooks, Burback, Wylie. Totals 11 5-9 29.

SUTHERLIN  (47) — Marshal Warmouth 12, Gill 11, Christianson 9, Carr 6, Briggs 6, Rethwill 3. Totals 19 3-15 47

S. Umpqua;  11;    4;   4;  10; — 29
Sutherlin;       6;  16;  10;  15; — 47
3-Point Field Goals — S.U. 2 (GRAY 1, JOHNSON 1)  SUTH. 6 (Briggs 2, Warmouth 2, Carr 1, Rethwill 1)
Total Fouls: S.U. 18, Suth. 17
Fouled out: None

In other games, the South Umpqua girls dropped a 56-13 decision to Salem Academy Thursday. The Lancers fell behind 23-0 and didn’t score until 4:40 to go in the first half when Aaliyah Rudy hit a three-pointer.

The Crusaders scored the next 20 points to lead 43-5 halfway through the third period. South Umpqua girls play Glide Friday morning at 10 a.m.

Salem Academy takes on Douglas at 4:00 p.m. Friday in a semifinal game at Sutherlin High School.

A team from Parramatta , Australia defeated Salem Academy boys 50-27 and the Aussies will play Douglas at 5:30 p.m. Friday.