SUTHERLIN – The Sutherlin girl’s basketball team is now a game away from completing its fifth straight unbeaten league season. The Lady Bulldogs broke away from a 6-6 tie after a quarter to steamroll Cottage Grove 55-18 Tuesday night at Sutherlin High School.
The Bulldogs outscored the Lions 23-6 in the second period and the defense held the Lions without a second half field goal until the 3:00 minute mark of the fourth quarter.
Taylor Stricklin had 17 points with a pair of 3-pointers and Kayce Mock had 16, also with a couple of threes.
The Bulldogs are 9-0 in the Sky-Em League and 22-1 for the season and will likely need to win Friday night at Junction City to have a chance at a home game in the first round of the state playoffs.
The Cottage Grove boys were just too much for the Sutherlin boys and the Lions gradually pulled away for a 63-53 win to clinch first place in the Sky-Em League with an 8-1 record.
Senior Wryland McKnight had a big night for Sutherlin with a season-high 25 points and Cody Brownson had 13, but it wasn’t enough as the taller Lions pulled out to a 5-point lead at the half and gradually pulled away to win by 10.
Junior guard Kory Parent had 20 points for the Lions, including four 3-pointers. Senior 6’6″ Chance Hopkins added 16 and Jayden Tucker tossed in 13 .
The Bulldogs dropped to 3-6 in league and 11-12 overall with the loss. Cottage Grove clinched the league title with one game to go, after second place Junction City lost to Sisters 52-37.
The Bulldogs will finish the regular season at Junction City Friday night. Fans can hear the girls and boys games on i101fm, with pregame for the girls at 5:30 p.m. and tipoff at 5:45 p.m. The boys follow at 7:15 p.m.