Torrid shooting from the field carried the Bowie Bulldogs to a lopsided 61-45 win over the Hays Rebels Tuesday at Bales Gym.
Three Bulldog players scored in double figures led by an 18-point performance from senior shooting guard Blaize Murray. Bowie’s Curtis Donahue contributed 16 points while Andre Evans finished with 10 points.
While the Rebels tried to stem Bowie’s consistent and persistent offense, Hays head coach Matt Sandoval felt his team was, at times, powerless to stop it.
“When you’re hitting shots, you’re hitting shots. It wasn’t no secret,” Sandoval said. “It wasn’t like we weren’t on them. What do you do? They were hot tonight. Hats off to them.”
“Rebounding – That’s a controllable aspect and we have to do a better job, especially when they are hitting their shots." Hays head coach Matt Sandoval
Bowie rapidly jumped out to a sizable 13-4 lead that was aided by the team’s overall size and height advantage over the Rebels. Six of Bowie’s 14-man roster stood at 6-feet, 2-inches or taller.
The Bulldogs also consistently controlled the glass, oftentimes out-muscling Hays players for rebounds. Sandoval said Bowie’s rebounding prowess kept Hays to “one-and-done” possessions, which created issues for offensive rhythm.
“Rebounding – That’s a controllable aspect and we have to do a better job, especially when they are hitting their shots,” Sandoval said.
Hays (7-10) recovered and regained its footing early in the second frame. Led by senior forward Dre Green, Hays went on a 9-4 run to close the gap on Bowie. A transition layup off a turnover by Hays’ sophomore guard Luke Watson pulled the Rebels to within four points at 17-13. Green led the Rebels with 15 points while Watson had 10.
Sandoval said the Rebels have a young team that is continuing to figure out “some things.” Getting off to a good start is an important aspect, but he said progress is taking place.
“We did some good things, we found a little rhythm as a team. Not on offense or defense, we found a rhythm and kept playing until the end,” Sandoval said. “This group of guys, we’re going to keep churning until we break through.”
But the hot hand of Bowie shooters kept the Rebels at bay. Bowie held a 30-21 halftime lead and further gained separation from there.
A three-pointer made by Murray seconds into the third quarter foreshadowed an offensively oriented half for Bowie. The Bulldogs’ lead expanded to 53-35 after the third frame, which was anchored by a trio of three-pointers from Murray in the quarter.
Sandoval said the Rebels will look toward its annual Hays CISD Classic to improve before the brunt of district play begins.
“Improvement is going to happen and it’s starting to happen. It just takes time,” Sandoval said. “You can’t rush the process.”
