THORNDALE – The Thorndale Bulldogs (17-7 overall, 4-2 District 27-2A) secured double-digit scoring from Blake Roberts, Clason Beasley, and Kaden Kovar Friday night, and rolled over the Thrall Tigers (8-10, 2-4), 63-34.
It was Thrall that got on the board first with a short jumper from Steven Walker with 7:14 to play in the opening quarter.
But, the Bulldogs answered with a 10-0 run over the next three minutes to take the lead. The Tigers stayed within striking range, trailing just 14-6 with just over two minutes to play in the period, but Thorndale finished off the quarter with a 7-0 run and led 21-6 going into the second quarter.
Throughout the second and third periods, the two teams matched up well.
Neither team could gain the advantage.
Both teams put 13 up in the second quarter, which left the Bulldogs holding to a 34-19 advantage at the half, and the Tigers were able to trim a point off the lead after a 9-8 scoring edge in the third.
In the fourth quarter, the Bulldogs began to pull away.
Thorndale shot 47% from the field over the final eight minutes, while the Tigers struggled, shooting just 19%. Thorndale also connected on five of six free throws in the fourth. The Bulldogs outscored the Tigers 21-6 in the period to seal the win.
Roberts led all scorers with 20, while Beasley and Kovar each added 18 for the Bulldogs. Thrall was led by Walker and Breken Proctor, who each scored eight.
Dawson Meiske added five points, but pulled down 13 rebounds.
Walker added nine boards, while Ethan Dahl grabbed seven.
It was a tough loss for the Tigers. The loss dropped them into a tie for fifth at the halfway point in a very competitive district.
Milano and Hearne currently lead the district with 5-1 records, but Thorndale trails by just a game with a 5-2 district slate.
Holland stands at 3-3 and is in fourth, and Thrall and Bartlett sit at 2-4.
The Tigers began the second half of district Tuesday when they traveled to Granger. They will be on the road again Friday in Bartlett before returning to friendlier confines of home next Tuesday.
Tigers senior Casen Sledge shooting a wide open three pointer.
Photo by Larry Pelchat
Tigers junior Ethan Dahl balances on one foot trying to keep the ball in play
Photo by Larry Pelchat
