EARL WATT
• Leader & Times
HOOKER, Okla. — Liberal played a solid first half against the talented Hooker, Okla., Bulldogs, but a 24-4 run by Hooker in the second half sank the Redskins in a 63-38 loss.
Both teams came out strong in the first quarter with the Bulldogs scoring on the first possession of the game, but the Redskins used three three pointers in the first quarter to keep the game close with long-range shots from Alan Olvera, Juan Diego and Adrian Moreno.
James Fieser also had five points in the quarter, and Ethan Olmstead came off the bench to hit a free throw, and the Redskins only trailed 17-15.
The Redskins had no answer for Keilan Robinson in the second quarter, and with Bulldog Shase Redmon having to sit with foul trouble, the Redskins were able to trim into the Hooker double digit lead.
Liberal added two more threes in the second quarter from Olvera and Moreno, but Robinson scored all 15 of Hooker’s points in the second quarter, and the Bulldogs had a 32-28 lead at the half.
The Redskins immediately reduced the lead to two with the first basket of the second half, but that would be the only points Liberal would score for most of the third period.
But Robinson continued to cut to the basket to score 12 of Hooker’s 19 points in the quarter, and the Redskins trailed 51-34 after the third quarter.
Liberal continued to miss shot after shot, and midway through the fourth quarter coach Joel Plummer pulled the starters and started to get varsity playing time for most of the bench.
Francisco Cardena and Ethan Reeves each had a basket late, and the Bulldogs cruised to the 63-38 win.
Liberal will host Great Bend for Homecoming Friday.
