When the Dolores High School girls basketball team played Ignacio earlier this season, the final score favored the Bobcats, 61-29. Thus, even when Lady Bears lost at home to the Bobcats, 42-35, on Jan. 30, the game almost felt like a victory.

"I was really proud of the way that the girls played," said head coach Larry Schwartz. "After not playing well against Mancos last week, we bounced back. We earned Ignacio's respect."

Playing especially well for the Lady Bears was senior center Taylor Elder, who scored 14 points and hit five of her seven field-goal attempts. Elder also had several rebounds in the game.

"Taylor Elder had the best game of her career," said Schwartz. "(Our coaches) have done a tremendous job working with the big girls and it showed."

Dolores led 19-16 at halftime and trailed by only one point midway through the fourth quarter. Schwartz said that Ignacio began stalling with two minutes left and the Lady Bears were forced to foul.

"Ignacio has tremendous foul shooters and they were able to keep the ball away from us," said the head coach. "They did a great job of closing out the game."

With the loss, Dolores fell to 4-9 on the season. Ignacio improved to 8-3 on the year.

Next up for the Lady Bears will be a home matchup against Telluride on Feb. 6. Dolores defeated the Miners 53-29 earlier this year.