BRIMLEY — Rudyard may have wrecked Brimley's streak, but the Bays did not let the basketball game go easily. They outscored the Bulldogs two of the four periods, but Rudyard's height and a first period point deficit tipped the game to the Bulldogs 66-54.
Rudyard came out strong against the Bays in the first quarter, digging a 12-point hole for Brimley. The Bulldogs fought their way through the Bays defense for sustained scoring that put them ahead 18-6.
Brimley fell to 20 points behind Rudyard in the second period when the Bulldogs reached 26-6. However, the Bays began to find their mark after that point and started closing the gap. The defense began to hold off Rudyard shooting, and Brimley out-shot the Bulldogs 13 points to 12, ending the half 30-19.
The third quarter was Brimley's best. Three-point shots from Derek Beseau and Travis Lynn, as well as shooting from Cody Robbins helped to close the point gap to three points. Rudyard was still on top, but a score of 44-41 gave Brimley hope.
Jake Parish and Rudyard's Matt Miller traded 3-point shots early in the fourth, but Miller hit for three to Parish's two long buckets, bringing the Bulldogs to 59-50. The advantage helped rally the Rudyard players while stealing steam from the Bays. The Bulldogs were able to hold off Brimley for the rest of the game, pulling back to a 12-point lead and finishing the match 66-54.
Brimley improved against Rudyard somewhat compared to their 76-59 loss against the 15-2 Bulldogs on Jan.16.
“Both teams played well,” said Rudyard Coach Grant Ross. “Brimley never quit.”
Ross said that Rudyard's height and the fast-paced game gave Rudyard the win.
“Rudyard is a good team,” Bays' Coach Reg Robbins said. “I have to give them credit for the way they played.”
Coach Robbins said that the early scoring hole Brimley dug themselves into really hurt their chances, but he was still happy with the way his team played.
“I'm proud of the way we came back,” Coach Robbins added.
Parish topped Brimley's scoring with 13 points and three 3-point shots. Robbins and Beseau each scored 12 points with a 3-pointer a piece.
Two Rudyard players accounted for 48 points for the Bulldogs, as Miller lead game scoring with 30 points and six 3-point shots while Bob Lohff scored 18 points.
The Brimley JV team hammered the Bulldogs, beating Rudyard 72-38. Derick Bowen had 17 points in the game, with Brad Cameron scoring 14 points and Larry Livermore landing 11.
Brimley (4-2 EUPC, 10-6 overall) will play their Homecoming game on Friday against Bay de Noc and then take the week off before traveling to Sault Ste. Marie to face the Blue Devils on March 2 and then to Engadine on March 6 for the make-up game against the Eagles.
