The Dolores Lady Bears have seen the script before.
For the second time in three nights, Dolores (2-5) faced a high-tempo pressing defense with San Juan League foe Del Norte in town Thursday. With a pair of starters unavailable, Dolores fell behind early to the visiting Tigers before a third-quarter run closed out the contest, with Del Norte picking up a 49-18 win.
It took nearly four minutes for either team to break the scoreless deadlock. Once they did, however, Del Norte (5-3) caught fire. The Tigers parlayed each made field goal into an opportunity to set up a full court press that befuddled the hosts, allowing Del Norte to build an 11-3 lead after eight minutes.
Dolores senior Josie Majors recorded the only Bears field goal in the first quarter.
Even as the Tigers backed off the press with mounting foul counts in the second period, Dolores still struggled to find an offensive rhythm. The mountain grew taller as an already short bench grew shorter for the Bears with junior Tatum Majors exiting with an injury midway through the frame.
Down 15 at the break, Dolores came out with fiery defense and clear intent to attack the middle. Junior Morgaine Milligin battled hard inside against the length of the Tigers, tallying all four of her points in a solid stretch of the third quarter. However, Del Norte rattled off a game-defining 15-0 run late in the third to put the game out of reach.
“We’re playing well,” said Dolores head coach Tiffany Hill after the loss, “but we have to start finishing our shots.”
Turnovers played a key role, as they did on Tuesday night against Ignacio, in digging the Bears into a hole. “We’re working harder than we have to,” added Hill, “because we’re not taking care of the ball.”
Hill did find some positive points in the loss, highlighting Milligin’s second half performance. “Once she gets her confidence going, she keeps getting better,” praised Hill.
Sophomore McKenzy Howerton led the way for Dolores with seven points on the night, including Dolores’ only three pointer.
Del Norte finished with two double figure scorers, paced by Kendra Parra’s 14 points. Kamrynn Pacheco added 10 points for the visitors.
Dolores now faces a three week holiday break with an opportunity to heal and re-focus heading into their 2018 opening matchup against Mancos on Jan. 9
