Bulldogs post comfy win over Dons

PROVO — It was clear early Tuesday night that whatever game plans the Spanish Fork Dons and Provo Bulldogs had developed for playing each other were not working.

In fact, after a low-scoring first two quarters, Provo coach Craig Drury threw his game plan out the window.

"In the first half it just was not working for us, so we came out in the second half and just ran our normal stuff," Drury said.

The Bulldogs' normal stuff was good enough to hold off a mild Dons charge in the third period and eventually pull away for a comfortable 45-35 win. Actually, Drury said nothing was comfortable in the victory that basically ensures the Bulldogs (4-3) of a playoff spot and eliminates the Dons (1-6) in Region 6.

"Neither team's offense was comfortable tonight," Drury said. "And I don't think Spanish Fork ever got comfortable with our defense."

Thanks to the early hot hand of sophomore Warner Jarman, the Bulldogs finished up 10-5 after one period. Jarman then opened the second quarter with his second 3-pointer, and two minutes later Provo had opened up a 17-7 lead. But Spanish Fork closed the gap to 17-12 by scoring the final five points of the period.

Returning to normal in the third period resulted in Provo getting one open shot after another from 3-point land. Mark Walker cashed in by making two of his four treys in the quarter. The Bulldogs needed Walker's bombs because Spanish Fork's Kaid Gordon put on a brief clinic from deep - sinking three consecutive 3-pointers on three straight Dons' possessions. Gordon finished the game by making all four of his 3-point attempts. But his third bomb closed the score to 27-23 and kept Spanish Fork's heart beating.

However, a Tanner Gregory layup to end the period had Provo going into the final eight minutes ahead 29-23. Gregory then scored the first four points of the final quarter which ignited an 8-2 run that put the Bulldogs out in front by 10 points. Since the Dons were over the foul limit the entire fourth quarter, Provo was able to run off time because every foul resulted in foul shots — which the Bulldogs were able to convert. Whenever the Dons did have a chance to trim the lead they turned the ball over. They never got closer than eight again.

Drury credited the defense of Tyler Miller, who allowed the Dons few uncontested shots from the outside, for holding down Spanish Fork's scoring. He also said point guard Kenyn Koop was masterful in getting Provo a quality shot on almost every possession, as he finished with six assists and only one turnover.

"He got us, in their zone, 14 or 15 good looks at the three. And as point guard that's his job," Drury said.

Gregory was the game's high scorer with 14, while Jarman and Walker finished with 12 each. Gordon was the only Don in double figures with 12 points.

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