Bulldogs Drop Hard Fought Game to Clark/Willow Lake

The Milbank Area Bulldogs dropped to 1-2 on the season following a 53-43 loss to Clark-Willow Lake in its home-opener Tuesday, December 22, at the Milbank Armory.

The teams battled it out throughout the first half and kept things fairly even. Milbank Area started out a little slower and trailed 14-9 at the end of the opening period. The Dawgs came back and outscored the Cyclones 12-10 in the second period but remained behind at 24-21 at the midway mark.

Milbank Area struggled to get things rolling to open the second half where Clark-Willow Lake widened the gap to 43-31 heading into the final stanza. The Bulldogs won the fourth period at 12-10 but it was not enough to overcome the third quarter drought.

Jonny Ash provided the spark for the Bulldogs with 17 points, three rebounds, one steal and two turnovers. Nate Bien followed with 14 points, seven boards, one steal and four turnovers. Jacob Jackson tallied seven points and two rebounds while Nolan Foss added two points, three rebounds, one steal, one blocked shot and four turnovers. Also scoring for the Dawgs were Derrick Aho, two points, two rebounds and one steal, and Tanner Gauer, one point and one rebound. James Weber snared two rebounds, and Matt Lenards had one steal to round out the totals for Milbank Area.

The Bulldogs went 17 for 40 from the field for 43 percent shooting on the night. The locals finished the contest with 24 rebounds, nine steals, one blocked shot and 14 turnovers.

Clark-Willow Lake made 43 percent of its shots from the field, hitting 23 of 54 attempts. The Cyclones won the game with 32 rebounds, 13 steals, two assists, one blocked shot and 10 turnovers.

Milbank Area will battle Langford Area in the final game of the State Farm-S&D One Stop Basketball Shootout Tuesday, December 29, at the Milbank Armory.

Click here to see photos from this game!