Bulldogs Open Season w/Win Over Okaw Valley

The defending state champion St. Anthony Bulldogs opened their 2017-18 season with a convincing 65-31 win over the Okaw Valley Timberwolves Monday night. The victory on the first night of the St. Anthony Thanksgiving Tournament. The game at the Enlow Center was heard on 979XFM and www.979xfm.com. 

The Bulldogs needed a good part of the first quarter to get their land legs and led just 11-6 after one period, but had it running on all eight cylinders the rest of the night. St. Anthony outscored Okaw Valley 18-6 in the second period to lead 29-12 at halftime, outscored the Timberwolves 21-11 in the third quarter to lead 50-23, and outpointed Okaw Valley 15-8 in the final quarter to win by 34. The Bulldogs had the lead up to 35 points at one point.

St. Anthony was consistent from the field, hitting 44% of its shots in each half, going 23 of 52. That included six of 19 three-point tries. The Bulldogs were 13 of 17 from the line and grabbed 38 rebounds. One area of concern was the 19 turnovers, but St. Anthony will chalk it up to first game jitters and perhaps a need to impress too much after winning the championship a season ago.

Okaw Valley shot 35% from the field, 12 of 34, including 3 of 12 on threes. They made 4 of 8 from the line, turned the ball over 24 times, and pulled down just 14 rebounds against the much taller Bulldogs.

Alex Deters turned in a fine performance for St. Anthony, leading the Bulldogs with 19 points and tying for the lead in rebounds with 7. Cade Walsh was in double figures with 11 points, while Alex Beesley and Jaccob Dust shared rebounding honors with Deters with 7 each. Dust scored nine points while Jack Nuxoll scored seven, all in the first half. Beesley and Adam Levitt each scored five points and Levitt grabbed six rebounds. Also scoring, Brandon Runge with four, Luke Ludwig with three, and Wyatt Lawrence with two.

Jared Bunfill led Okaw Valley with 11 points.

The Bulldogs take Tuesday night off before playing the Highland Bulldogs Wednesday at 8pm.

In the opening contest, Robinson beat Champaign St. Thomas More 67-61.

Highland plays Effingham Tuesday at 6:30pm in Rem Woodruff's debut as Hearts' varsity coach. We will have the Hearts' game on 979XFM and www.979xfm.com. 

Stats for the Bulldogs: Cade Walsh--5 of 12 from the field, 2 rebounds, 11 points...Alex Deters--six of nine from the field, five of five from the line, 7 rebounds, 19 points...Alex Beesley--2 of 6 from the field, 1 of 1 from the line, 7 rebounds, 5 points...Adam Levitt--2 of 5 from the field, 6 rebounds, 5 points...Brandon Runge--0 of 1 from the field, 4 of 6 from the line, 4 rebounds, 4 points...Jack Nuxoll--2 of 5 from the field, 2 of 2 from the line, 1 rebound, 7 points...Wyatt Lawrence--1 of 3 from the field, 0 of 1 from the line, 2 points...Luke Ludwig--1 of 2 from the line, 3 rebounds, 3 points...Quinton Milleville--0 of 1 from the field, 1 rebound...Alexander Brandenburger--0 of 1 from the field...Jaccob Dust--4 of 7 from the field, 1 of 2 from the line, 7 rebounds, 9 points...Bryson Wall and Ben Strullmyer--playing time, but no stats