Bulldogs lose to undefeated Sullivan

Union (Dugger) boys basketball coach Clarence Johnson has a few words of instruction for Tyler Talpas (24) while Bulldog senior Dustin Collins (1) tries to get a drink during a game at Sullivan Friday. (By B.J. Hargis/Greene County Daily World). [Order this photo]

SULLIVAN -- Union (Dugger) scored the game's first five points and led by one late in the first quarter, but host Sullivan scored the final six points of the period and turned it into a 17-0 run as the Golden Arrows went on to defeat the Bulldogs 90-42 in a high school boys basketball game Friday night.

Dustin Howard hit a basket and Trent Collins hit a 3-pointer as the Bulldogs led 5-0 in the opening two minutes. A steal and deuce by Collins put the visitors ahead 8-7.

It turned out to be their last lead as Sullivan's outburst left the Bulldogs behind 24-8 in the second quarter. The Golden Arrows, who improved to 4-0, outscored Union (Dugger) 29-13 in the second quarter to take a 42-21 lead at intermission.

Union (Dugger) senior Trent Collins (10) tries to make it difficult for Sullivan's Caleb Turner (31) to make a pass during a boys basketball game at Sullivan Friday night. Also playing defense for the Bulldogs is Tyler Talpas. (By B.J. Hargis/Greene County Daily World). [Order this photo]

"I was very proud of the way the kids started the game," said Union (Dugger) Coach Clarence Johnson, whose Bulldogs slipped to 0-5. "I think we might have surprised a lot of people early by staying up with them.

"We were up 8-7 with a minute to go in the first quarter. The kids played well. Sullivan closed the quarter with a little run and turned it into a big run in the second quarter."

Rhett Smith, a 6-6 sophomore, paced the Golden Arrows with 25 points. Former Union (Dugger) guard Dreyson Boyd made five 3-pointers and finished with 17 points. Kaleb Pirtle added two treys and added 14 points.

"Give Dustin (Howard) a lot of credit, he gave up five inches and lot of size to Smith, but he battle him," said Johnson. "Smith is a fine basketball player with a lot of tools and a lot of ability. He works well to get position. He hit a number of different shots against us.

"Sullivan is an outstanding program with a lot of tradition. They are very well coached, but we hung right in there with them early."

Howard paced the Bulldogs with 12 points. Trent Collins added eight.

"I was proud of the way the kids battled and played hard throughout the game," said Johnson. "They stayed aggressive and we got to the foul line 11 times in the second half. But we have to do a better job than make 8 of 18.

"We did a good job on the boards, especially in the first half. We are still a young team, but we are five games into this now. I couldn't ask for the kids to play any harder than they are playing."

Sullivan won the junior varsity contest 55-21. Mike Foglesong paced the Bulldogs with 10 points. Sterling Langley hit for three points and Zach Birdsong, Ethan Secrest, Adam Morrill and Dakota Brown each added two. Swan Hunter, Eli Mejean and Michael Abrams also played.

The Bulldogs will play a double conference game at 6 p.m. tonight at Shakamak.

UNION (DUGGER) (42) -- Dustin Howard 5 0-2 12, Trent Collins 3 1-3 8, Tyler Talpas 3 0-0 6, Jacob Phegley 1 1-2 3, Zach Birdsong 0 1-2 1, Mike Foglesong 1 0-0 2, Sterling Langley 1 0-0 3, Brandon Duncan 0 1-2 1, Seth Gambill 1 4-6 6, Adam Morrill 0 0-1 0, Dakota Brown 0 0-0 0. Totals 15 8-18 42.

SULLIVAN (90) -- James Lisman 3 0-0 6, Caleb Turner 5 0-0 10, Rhett Smith 12 0-4 25, Dreyson Boyd 6 0-0 17, David Bedwell 3 2-3 8, Kaleb Pirtle 5 2-2 14, Ryan Vernelson 1 0-0 2, Trent Moody 1 0-0 2, Gavan Marx 1 0-0 2, Bryce Bement 2 0-1 4. Totals 39 4-10 90.

Union (Dugger) 8 13 11 10 --42

Sullivan 13 29 34 14 -- 90

3-pointers -- Union (Dugger) 4 (Howard 2, Collins, Langley), Sullivan 8 (Boyd 5, Pirtle 2, Smith). Fouls -- Union (Dugger) 17, Sullivan 13. Fouled out -- Gambill.