Charlo, Thompson Falls halt Bulldogs' winning streak this week

ST. IGNATIUS — The Mission Bulldogs' winning streak finally came to an end with a loss to the Thompson Falls Bluehawks on Saturday, although they did defeat Plains by one point on Friday, before falling to Charlo Tuesday night, 64-56.

"Hopefully it was a wake-up call for us. T.Falls just came hungry and played harder," head coach Steve Woll said.

The Bulldogs were low on the score board in the first quarter against Plains, 22-12, but they came back for a 14-point gain in the second quarter over Plains' nine points.

Tyler Trudeau put 27 points into the game, Gus McDonald made 19, Robbie Trahan made four points, Avery Old Coyote and Corey Gies each made two points, as did Logan Gordan.

"We got down way early and had to claw back. We picked up the defensive energy and had some guys get some good shots. We blocked their last shot for the win," Woll said.

The Bulldogs worked hard with some high individual scores but it wasn't enough and they lost by 10 to the Bluehawks on Saturday. Avery Old Coyote scored 17 points, McDonald had 19 and Tyler Trudeau worked 15 points into the game. Cory Gies made four points, Trahan and Aaron Trudeau scored three points and Logan Gordon scored two points.

"It took a lot of energy to play away and win and then travel again on Saturday," Woll said.

The Bulldogs worked harder in the second half but the Bluehawks kept a 10-point lead throughout the second half to defeat Mission 73-63.

Against Charlo, the team was playing catch-up for most of the game, and no matter how good a shot they had, they just couldn't get them to fall.

"We couldn't buy a bucket. We got some good looks, but they didn't go," Woll said.

Mission kept up solid pressure on the Vikings, causing several turnovers with their press, but balls literally went in and the out of the bucket for the 'Dogs Tuesday night — it was just one of those nights.

A steal and lay-up by Tyler Trudeau in the third bought the team to within five points, and then in the fourth, McDonald drove the lane for two lay-ups in a row, to bring the team to within three.

McDonald shot and was fouled on the next play and tied it with a free throw, and then Old Coyote gave the team a brief lead with a 3-point play, but was forced to foul late in the game. Trahan hit a lay-up with just over two minutes left to bring the team to within five, but it was too little too late.

Give the 'Dogs credit — they never gave up. It just wasn't their night.

"We prepared all week for what we saw the last game," Woll said. "But this place doesn't treat us very well" he said of Charlo's home field advantage.

Woll noted that the team has been faced with three tough fourth quarters over the past week, and the experience should make them better. The team will turn its attention to the Polson Pirates on Friday, and Woll said they're ready.

"We enjoy playing 'up' [against Class A schools]. It should make us a better team," Woll said.