4A boys high school basketball: Bulldogs bounce Braves

WEST VALLEY CITY — Another slow start in the 4A state tournament had the Provo Bulldogs looking vulnerable on Friday afternoon at the E Center.

But this time, Provo only appeared human for a quarter, and then rolled to a 53-34 win over Bountiful in the 4A semifinals. The Bulldogs, who have now won 41 straight games, will play West in the title game today, with a chance to capture their third consecutive state title.

It took Provo more than four minutes to score against the Braves, and it fell behind 9-0. The Bulldogs, however, didn't panic and again took over the game with their stifling defense. Provo closed within 13-9 by the end of the first quarter and opened the second on a 10-1 run to take control.

"I think you saw the Provo High team play tonight," said Bulldogs coach Craig Drury. "We've been hesitant for some reason (in wins over Murray and Highland and in the first quarter against Bountiful). My guys that don't get all the press have been hesitant, and the guys that get all the ink have stepped up, and that's created trying to do too much."

The Bulldogs' tournament problems, if you can call them that for a team that's advanced to the state championship game, were fixed against the Braves. Junior Kyle Collinsworth was aggressive in getting the Bulldogs in charge on Friday, as he scored on two driving layups in the second quarter. And because of the attention he was drawing from Bountiful's defense, he found open shooters on the perimeter.

Collinsworth finished with 23 points, nine rebounds, five assists and one steal.

"Kyle — was he great tonight or what?" said Drury.

The Bulldogs held the Braves, who were without leading scorer Sean Carey while he sat out a two-game suspension, to no field goals in the second quarter. Provo then put the game away by closing the third quarter on a 10-2 run.

Collinsworth started the spurt with a breakaway dunk after he freed himself open for about 30 feet from the basket with a spin move. Guard Tanner Austin closed the third by converting a three-point play and then sinking a 3-pointer as time expired to put the Bulldogs up 39-26.

"As soon as he hit that, I knew it was over," Collinsworth said.