Outlaws drop two on the hardwood

The Outlaws had a rough week on the hardwood. Sisters suffered a 43-40 loss at Cottage Grove (CG) on Tuesday, January 27, and three days later lost 62-48 at Marist.

Sisters jumped out to an early lead in Tuesday's game against Cottage Grove and at the end of the first quarter held an 11-8 lead. In the second quarter the Outlaws fell apart. The Lions went on a huge run, gained momentum and outscored Sisters 21-11. At the half CG had pushed to a 29-22 advantage.

Senior Tyler Miller said, "We weren't executing our offensive plays in the second quarter and they (CG) capitalized on it."

Both teams put up eight points in the third period. In the fourth quarter CG outscored Sisters by four and secured the win.

"Towards the end it was a two-point game," said Coach Jake Rothauge. "We had numerous wide open shots and opportunities to tie and take the lead several times. We just couldn't make the shots."

Miller said, "At the end I was sitting on the bench with four fouls. I just kept watching the guys get good looks at the basket but they just wouldn't go in. But, even though we lost, we showed a lot of heart and never gave up. We'll have a chance to play CG again and I still think we have a chance at getting the league title."

Rothauge told The Nugget that Miller, Levi Rowe and Lee Elder were in foul trouble the entire game, so the team was forced to play without their starters a large portion of the contest.

Sisters went 7/13 from the free throw line and CG was 10/18.

Miller and Drew Harrison led the Outlaws with 13 points each. Miller also pulled down eight boards and had four steals. Ross Erickson finished with seven points, nine rebounds and four steals. Rowe contributed five assists and three steals.

The Outlaws lost by 14 in Friday's game at Marist. The first two quarters, the score went back and forth and it was a very close game. At the half Sisters trailed the Spartans 22-18.

Marist shut the Outlaws down in the third quarter and held them to just four points.

"We just couldn't hit," said Rothauge. "They (Marist) picked up their defensive pressure, and they scored off of our turnovers."

In the fourth quarter the Outlaws played with more urgency, attacked the basket and hit their shots. Both teams scored 25 points in the final period but the Outlaws couldn't recover from the deficit they'd accrued in the third period.

The Outlaws are currently 4-3 in league and tied with Marist for third. Sisters was to host Elmira on Tuesday, February 3, and travel to La Pine on Friday, February 6.