Peetz proves resilient in road loss

Though they twice clawed their way back into the game from double digit deficits, Peetz ultimately succumbed 47-38 to North Central rival Prairie in New Raymer, Colo. Wedneday night.

The Bulldogs record slipped to 8-7 while the Mustangs advanced to 12-3.

With just a single field goal from the Bulldogs Melissa Schumacher, the visitors struggled out of the gate and quickly fell into a 12-point hole at 14-2 after five minutes of play. Soon, however, Peetz began its first extrication from double figure depth.

The Bulldogs began the comeback with 6 points from Beth Bernhardt to end the first quarter, offset by only one Mustangs bucket. Bernhardt was first the beneficiary of a quick pass inside from Morgan Burns, which she converted for a layup. Less than a minute later Schumacher fed Bernhart for another duece from in close.

When Bernhardt dropped in a pair of free throws, the Bulldogs had pulled to within 8 at 16-8.

"We were having trouble boxing out in the first quarter and they ended up with too many second chances," Bernhardt said, explaining the deficit.

For the game the Mustangs put their size advantage to good use with a 36-17 edge in rebounding. Prairie grabbed 14 off the offensive glass.

Between a pair of Prairie hoops, Jodie Schumacher converted a layup early in the second quarter. The quick play began with a Burns inbound pass. Shortly thereafter, Peetz went on a 8-0 run, kicked off by the Schumacher sisters.

First it was Jodie, who hit a three pointer from the top of the key. Melissa was next completing a three-point play after being fouled sinking a layup. When Burns followed the Schumachers with a layup, the Bulldogs had reeled the gap to a narrow 20-18 with 2:41 left in the half.

Unfortunately for the visitors the Mustangs responded to the Peetz 8-0 charge with a 7-0 return. Prairie's 5-11 center Erica Artis (13 points, 9 boards), who proved a tough match-up problem for Peetz all game, scored 4 points in the run. Sheyanne Warboys' three-point play was sandwiched in between a pair Artis layups.

The Bulldogs' Mikenna Curlee provided a fighting chance for the second half, however. Her three pointer in the final minute before the break closed things to 27-21 and threw some gravel into what might have been a devastating halftime hole.

"We had a few runs where I think we saw the court a little bit better," said Bernhardt. "Now we're going to think about winning our next couple of games going into the playoffs."

In the second half the Mustangs again streaked out to a double-digit lead. With 3:50 left in the third stanza, Prairie took a 34-23 lead. But again the resilient Bulldogs began a slow march back into the contest.

The process began with Curlee converting a Burns pass through the iron. Melissa Schumacher followed with a three pointer. By the end of the third quarter, the 'Dogs trailed by only 7, at 37-30.

The final period opened with 6 consecutive points from Bulldog paws. Bernhardt began by sinking a short turn-around jumper. Shortly thereafer Burns shook up the net. When Mallori Bjerke dropped in a layup Peetz had made it a tight 37-36 contest.

But again the Bulldogs could only get a whiff of the lead, as Prairie countered with 8 straight through the hoop.

"We started out so slow and then went on some runs but they weren't big enough," said Burns. "As for the rebounding we often had good position but couldn't come away with the ball. That's something we'll have to work on."

Melissa Schumacher finished the game as the high scorer for Peetz with 10 points. Bernhardt added 8, Curlee 7 and Burns 6. Burns' night also included 6 assists while Bernhardt contributed a pair of steals. Bjerke's 7 rebounds led the Bulldogs.

It won't get any easier when the Bulldogs take on their next assignment. The 14-1 Caliche Buffaloes come to town on Friday. The junior varsity girls will get the action started at 4 p.m.

Girls Basketball

Prairie 47

Peetz 38