BULLDOGS BITE DOWN ON BUCHTEL

The Poland Lady Bulldogs advanced to the regional final Tuesday night with a 59-38 win over Akron Buchtel.

The game started off back and forth. Sarah Bury got the Bulldogs on the board early with a three pointer, and Buchtel was getting good looks inside mostly in transition.  It appeared that the beginning of the game was anxious for the Bulldogs. They quickly shook off any nerves though when Buchtel took a 11-7 lead. The Bulldogs ended the first frame on a 7-0 run and led 14-11 after 1.

The Poland defense clamped down hard in the 2nd frame. Buchtel had a hard time just getting into half court sets.  Poland turned 3 quick turnovers into 3 quick buckets and just like that they had a commanding 24-12 lead. Buchtel didn’t hit a single shot from the field in the whole quarter and Poland led at the break 27-12.

In the 3rd with their offense now in front of their own fans Buchtel seemed a bit more loose. They cut Poland’s lead to 10 early in quarter 3 showing a glimmer of hope that they could claw their way back into the game. The Bulldogs snuffed that thought out quick however, as Kailyn Brown and Morgan Kluchar got some big time buckets to get the lead back to 15 38-23.  The score after 3 was 38-25.

Poland did not let off the gas pedal at all in the 4th. They knew all too well that Buchtel was a team known for 4th quarter comebacks. That would not be the case in this contest as Brooke Bobbey started to get involved scoring 5 of her 7 points in the final frame. Sarah Bury also added a couple of perimeter jump shots to cement the Bulldog lead.  Poland would go on to win by a final of 59-38.

Every Bulldog starter scored at least 5 points tonight to lead a balanced offense. Kailyn Brown led the team in scoring with 15 points 7 rebounds. Sarah Bury was also in double figures with 14. Poland advances to the programs third ever regional championship on Friday night against Akron St Vincent St Mary. Tip off is slated for 7:00 at Barberton High School.