SUTHERLIN – The Sutherlin boys built a 32-18 lead at halftime, but still had to hang on for a 47-44 victory over Sweet Home Saturday night at home.
The win moved the Bulldogs (13-7, 5-1 Sky-Em) into a first place tie with Sisters in the Sky-Em League standings.
Sutherlin led 42-31 late in the fourth period after Albert Christianson made a three-point play on a lay-in and free throw. But it quickly got a lot tighter.
Sweet Home (6-13; 1-5 Sky-Em) cut the Sutherlin lead to three with seven seconds left to play. Sutherlin’s Riley Westbrooks was fouled and had a chance to clinch the game, but missed both free throws. The Huskies got the ball to mid-court and called for a time-out.
Sweet Home drew up a play for Casey Tow, who scored all 13 of his points in the fourth quarter, and he went up for the potential game-tying three-pointer, but it was blocked and the Bulldogs got away with the win.
Senior guard Trevor Daniels led the Bulldogs with 12 points, all in the first half, including two 3-pointers. Brandon Carr and Albert Christianson each had 11.
The Bulldogs could have put the game away a lot sooner, but they were only 3-14 from the line.
The Bulldogs will be at home Tuesday night when they host Elmira.