Dogs survive a late run by Highlanders
Murphy – After building a 42-24 lead over Highlands through three quarters, the Murphy Bulldogs narrowly avoided a fourth quarter meltdown, holding off a late run by the Highlanders to pull out the 58-57 victory.
In the second half, the Highlanders went to the free throw line an eye-opening 26 times, after failing to go to the line in the first half.
Those foul shots, produced by an aggressive Murphy defense, were key to the Highlands’ comeback as the Highlanders found themselves in the bonus near the end of the third quarter.
“We created an opportunity for Highlands to get back in the game when we were in the bonus at the end of the 3rd quarter,” Murphy coach Erik Laney said. “They are a great free throw shooting team, which they proved by scoring 15 points off free throws in the fourth quarter.”
Murphy managed to stave off the Highlanders thanks to a strong fourth quarter from Dawson Hensley, who scored 12 of his 16 points in the final frame.
The Bulldogs powered ahead of the Highlanders in the first half thanks to 13 points from Abram Abling and 8 points from Isra Smith in the half.
“We have to learn how to compete for four quarters,” Laney said.
“We had good intensity in the first half, and then a letdown of both intensity and execution in the second half.”
Abling ended the night with a team-high 23 points while Smith totalled 10 points in the victory.
Nevertheless, a win is a win. Despite the Bulldogs nearly letting the victory slip through their fingers, it provides the players a chance to review and learn from their mistakes.
“We went back to work Monday trying to learn how to do the little things right that will make us successful as a team,” Laney said.
“It was good for us to get in the film room and see the mistakes we make so we work to alleviate them.
The Bulldogs next take on the Swain County on Tuesday after the Cherokee Scout’s press time.