Bulldogs stop Umatilla

The Bulldogs (1-2) got their running game going and fired up their defense on the way to a 71-35 win over the Vikings.

“Overall, we played a lot better than we had the first two games,” said Baker coach Joel Richardson.

“We’re starting to match up our intensity level with our execution level.”

Baker jumped out to a quick lead, let Umatilla rally, then ran away from the Vikings.

“We came out pretty fast, then let them come back and take a 1-point lead. We had a little lull then after that we settled in,” Richardson said.

Baker led just 15-14 after one period, but increased its lead to 31-19 at halftime. The Bulldogs then erupted for 21 points in the third quarter to build their lead to 52-27.

“We really stepped up our defensive intensity in the second half,” Richardson said. “Sometimes we come out flat in the third quarter, but not this time.”

Richardson said he also was pleased with a season-low 15 turnovers.

Braden Phillips led Baker with 27 points and a dozen rebounds.

Dillon Blankenship added 13 points and four rebounds, and Colten Richards 10 points and six rebounds.

Baker hosts Fruitland Tuesday.

Baker    15    16    21    19    — 71

Umatilla    14    5    8    6    — 35

Baker (71) — Phillips 12 3-4 27, Blankenship 5 3-4 13, Richards 5 0-0 10, Curtis 4 1-2 9, Bachman 3 0-0 7, Smith 1 0-0 2, Osborn 1 1-1 3, Brooks, Dolby, Grammon, Taylor. Totals 31 8-11 71.

Umatilla (35) — Saldana 8 0-0 18, Robb 1 0-0 2, Snyder 5 0-0 10, Hurley 1 0-0 3, Ayala 0 2-2 2, Williams, Kennedy, Contreras, Vernal, Thompson. Totals 15 2-2 35.

Three-point goals — Bachman, Saldana 2, Hurley. Fouled out — none. Total fouls — unavailable. Technicals — none.