MCDERMITT - Another night, another second-half comeback for the McDermitt High School boys basketball team.
During their seven-game winning streak, the Bulldogs have made it commonplace to start slow, only to come back strong in the final 16 minutes to the secure the win.
That was no different on Tuesday night, as McDermitt hosted rival Pyramid Lake. The Bulldogs fell behind by as many as 11 points in the first half, but roared back for a 55-45 victory to improve to 7-5 on the season.
The lead changed hands three different times in the opening minutes, with the Lakers pulling away late with an 11-2 run on the strength of three 3-point field goals to lead 15-7.
"We have to find a way to avoid the slow starts," said MHS coach Jack Smith. "When kids are fresh, sometimes they get baskets off the run and jump and Pyramid Lake did that. A lot of coaches would have gotten out because of getting hurt. They hurt us a little bit, but we were able to get it to work later in the game."
Ellison Tom and Sonny Crutcher contributed baskets to keep the Bulldogs within six points at 17-11. Pyramid Lake had an answer for every McDermitt run in the first half, maintaining a six point lead, 29-23 at the break.
From that point on, it was all McDermitt, as the Bulldogs held the Lakers to three field goals in the second half, after turning up the pressure with the press.
Edgar Reyes closed the first half with a 3-point field goal and began the second half with one, beginning a 14-3 run in the third quarter. A running shot by Crutcher put McDermitt up for the first time since early in the opening quarter.
"We were able to wear them down and got them frustrated," Smith said. "It was our defense that got us the win. I am pretty proud of the guys. This is a rivalry game and there is a lot on the line."
The Lakers came back down the floor on the next possession to tie the game, when Reyes hit a 3-point shot and Ellison Tom put back a missed shot, giving the Bulldogs a 36-31 lead.
After making just one field goal in the third quarter, Pyramid Lake knocked down back-to-back 3-point shots to close the gap to a point at 42-41 and forcing the Bulldogs to take a timeout.
That was as close as Pyramid Lake got, with TJ Smith converting a basket and free throw after the break in action. Tom all but sealed the win with three minutes to play, grabbing a loose ball and making a bucket to push the margin to 47-42. Saul Lopez and Crutcher added layups in the final minute to secure the victory.
Crutcher paced the Bulldogs (7-5) with 16 points, Reyes added 13 and Tom and Smith each added 10. Lopez finished with six points.
McDermitt opens Division IV East play tonight at Wells at 7:30 p.m. The road trip continues Saturday with a 4 p.m. start in Jackpot.
"I like where we are and how the kids have responded," Smith said. "Our most important game right now is Wells. We will worry about Jackpot after that game."
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