MISSION BOYS BB ROUNDUP: Close call city

ST. IGNATIUS - Four games, four nailbiters for the Mission

Bulldogs. Head coach Patrick Irvin wouldn't have it any other

way.

"As the season goes on, games tend to get closer," Irvin said.

"These early season games have provided very valuable experience as

we move forward."

If Mission's two games last weekend were any indication, they

can't get much closer and there's a lot of season left. On Tuesday,

Dec. 13, the Bulldogs entered the fourth quarter with a four-point

lead, but were downed by the Charlo Vikings 63-58.

ST. IGNATIUS - Four games, four nailbiters for the Mission Bulldogs. Head coach Patrick Irvin wouldn't have it any other way.

"As the season goes on, games tend to get closer," Irvin said. "These early season games have provided very valuable experience as we move forward."

If Mission's two games last weekend were any indication, they can't get much closer and there's a lot of season left. On Tuesday, Dec. 13, the Bulldogs entered the fourth quarter with a four-point lead, but were downed by the Charlo Vikings 63-58.

Mission torched the Vikings early, leading 29-13 after the first quarter, but Charlo chipped away and turned a 51-47 deficit into the late victory.

Dylan Evans led the Bulldogs with 21 points, Stuart Grant added 13 and Austin Durglo nine for Mission, who fell to 1-2 on the year. Other scorers included Nikko Alexander, with six, Jarred Smith-Brown, with four, Paden Alexander, with three and Will Powell, who scored two.

Irvin noted just a couple things that, if and when the Bulldogs tweak them, will change their fortunes in similar games.

"We got very tentative down the stretch on offense and had some defensive lapses in stopping dribble drives that hurt us," Irvin said. "Foul trouble has been a problem all season and especially hurt us in that game."

Two nights later, Mission showed their resiliency in a home matchup against Deer Lodge, not letting the Charlo loss faze them in the least.

Durglo and Evans each scored 13, but it was Smith-Brown's runner with just seconds left that propelled the Bulldogs to the thrilling 46-44 home victory.

Again, it was a big first quarter that got Mission rolling, this time outscoring Deer Lodge 19-13.

"The boys are excited to play and we bring great energy at the start of games," Irvin said before slyly adding, "really good pregame pep talks by the coach may help a little as well."

Smith-Brown's runner accounted for half of his four points, while Grant and Nikko Alexander each put in seven for the Bulldogs (2-2). Will Powell also added two in the win.

Mission travelled to Florence on Tuesday, but results were unavailable at press time. Heading into Christmas break, Irvin is pleased with where his team stands.

"We have brought passion and enthusiasm to every game," Irvin said. "We have improved our overall teamwork a great deal, which has been great to see."

CHARLO @ MISSION

Charlo - 16 - 16 - 15 - 16 - 63

Mission - 29 - 11 - 11 - 7 - 58

Bulldogs scoring - Dylan Evans 21, Stuart Grant 13, Austin Durglo 9, Nikko Alexander 6, Jarred Smith-Brown 4, Paden Alexander 3, Will Powell 2

DL @ MISSION

DL - 13 - 10 - 11 - 10 - 44

Mission - 19 - 4 - 10 - 13 - 46

Bulldogs scoring - Austin Durglo 13, Dylan Evans 13, Stuart Grant 7, Nikko Alexander 7, Jarred Smith-Brown 4, Will Powell 2