The Dolores Bears turned up the pressure on the Nucla Mustangs on Saturday.
Nucla would inbound the ball, the Bears would steal it and break away for an easy layup.
Lather, rinse, repeat.
Dolores’ swarming defense vaulted them to an early 15-0 lead and they would not look back.
“We thought from the scouting report that we were going to be the faster team, so we just wanted to get a fast start and put doubt in their minds,” said head coach Larry Schwartz. “Then just keep playing hard the rest of the game.”
Jalen Balderrama scored nine first quarter points, finishing with a team-high 17, and the Bears went into halftime with a 39-18 lead.
With a five-in-five-out substitution pattern, the Bears were able to keep fresh legs on the floor and continue their stifling defense.
They extended the lead to 40 in the third quarter, holding the Mustangs to just four points, and then outscored Nucla 16-3 in the final frame to win 77-25.
“We did a better job of boxing out tonight than we did the other night, and we got our fastbreak going,” Schwartz said.
“All of the boys did really well and we were able to go five-in-five-out and just keep pressure on with all of our speed.”
Balderrama led with 17 points, Ben Lykins and Justin Purkat each scored 11, Josh McCoy added eight and Branden Donaldson and Tristen Medina each chipped in seven.
The win moves the Bears to 2-3 on the season, with a home contest against undefeated Ignacio (4-0) next on Thursday, Dec. 17 at 7 p.m.