Bulldogs top Weiser in OT

Baker outscores Wolverines 8-4 in extra period

Sophomore guard Jesse Brown and his Baker teammates needed overtime to subdue Weiser 60-56 Tuesday in the Baker gym. (Baker City Herald/Kathy Orr)

That’s what Baker boys basketball coach Craig Woods said shortly after the Bulldogs nipped Weiser, Idaho, 60-56 in overtime Tuesday night in the Baker gym.

“Basketball is a game of momentum,” Woods said.

Woods was referring to a stretch in the third and fourth quarters when Baker held a 38-29 lead only to have Weiser battle back against the Bulldogs’ bench to knot the game at 48-48 with 3:49 left in regulation.

“We kind of gave (the momentum) up during that stretch,” Woods said. “But I wanted to see what those kids would do and they responded.

“The preseason is a learning tool. I’m still working on our rotation. Obviously if this had been a league game, say with La Grande, I wouldn’t have played it the same way.”

The overtime began knotted at 52-52. After the teams traded baskets, Dekker Smith’s free throw with 2:13 left gave Baker the lead for good at 55-54. Derek Blankenship then boosted the Baker lead to 57-54 after a nice assist from Smith on a cut to the basket.

Blankenship, who scored eight of his team-high 15 points in the fourth quarter and overtime, scored five points and Kennan Richards four in the first quarter.

Weiser answered basket for basket and held a 16-15 edge at the break.

The teams continued to trade baskets in the second period with Richards’ short jumper with 1.6 left giving Baker a 27-26 halftime advantage.

Weiser shot 61 percent from the field in the first half (18-of-25), and Baker 54 percent (13-of-24).

B.J. Quintana scored seven of his nine points in the third quarter as Baker forged a 40-31 lead at the break.

Weiser answered by going on a 9-1 run to start the fourth quarter to pull within 41-40 with 6:32 left in regulation.

Baskets by Smith and Zach Thatcher boosted Baker up 45-40 with six minutes left.

Weiser then rallied to tie the game at 48-48 with 3:49 left in regulation.

Two Blankenship free throws and two by Richards helped Baker take a 52-49 edge with 12 seconds left in the fourth quarter.

Weiser then worked the ball for the tying shot. Sophomore Austin Winegar tied the game at 52-52 with a three-point basket from the right corner with 2 seconds left in regulation.

Baker finished the game shooting 53 percent from the field (24-of-45), and Weiser 42 percent (21-of-44).

Walker Kaseberg added 11 points for Baker, Richards 10 and Quintana nine.

Baker (5-1) travels to Kuna, Idaho, Saturday.

Weiser    16    10    5    21    4     – 56

Baker    15    12    13    12    8     – 60

Weiser (56) — T. Winegar 5 1-2 11, Eisenbarth 3 1-3 9, A. Odoms 2 0-0 5, Erhard, Tolman, B. Odoms 0 2-2 2, Tanner 4 0-0 10, Bokides 4 2-3 10, A. Winegar 3 1-2 9, McKie. Totals 21 7-12 56.

Baker (60) — Kaseberg 5 1-2 11, Brown 1 1-2 3, Richards 4 2-2 10, Adams, Gorrell, Smith 2 2-6 6, Thatcher 1 0-0 2, Richardson 2 0-0 4, Quintana 4 1-1 9, Blankenship 5 4-4 15. Totals 24 11-17 60.

Three-point goals — Eisenbarth, A. Odoms, Tanner 2, A. Winegar 2, Blankenship. Fouled out — A. Winegar. Total fouls — Weiser 18, Baker 14. Technicals — none.