By Kyle Roberts
Despite an explosive third quarter for the Ruston Bearcats (13-9, 2-2 District 2-5A), it would not prove enough Friday night as the Alexandria Senior High Trojans upset Ruston 55-46 in Memorial Gym on the campus of Louisiana Tech.
“I’m at a loss,” Ruston head coach Ryan Bond said of his team’s performance. “We try to coach them the right way. We try to scout them the right way. We try to prepares the guys the right way. We’re just not very good right now. It’s a terrible time to be inconsistent and not wanting to play together. We’re trying to figure this out.”
Friday’s loss takes Ruston out of the running for this year’s district title.
After trailing 25-14 at the half, the Bearcats opened the first half of the third quarter on a 16-9 run that was accentuated by a thunderous dunk by freshman Ahmad Hudson with 4:35 in the period.
Ruston would finally get take a second half lead 32-30 off a three-pointer in transition by senior Lonnie Dimmer with 3:02 left in the third. The Bearcats would outscore the Trojans 21-11 overall in the third.
“We stepped up our defensive intensity and started pushing the ball down,” Bond said. “We were playing at their pace in the first half. When we pushed the tempo up a bit (in the second half), we pressured them because they wanted to be methodical and run their offense over and over and over. But I think that got us a little fatigued.”
The Trojans would finally regain the lead with 5:14 left to play at 39-38 and would not trail again for the remainder of the night, with ASH holding Ruston’s offense to only 10 points in the fourth.
“I feel bad for the people that paid to come out and watch us tonight,” Bond said. “We have got to start playing better.”
Junior Joran Parker had a stellar night with 17 points overall for the Bearcats.
Ruston returns to action Tuesday, Feb. 6, to take on Ouachita in what will be non-district matchup, as the teams will be rematching from a previous district matchup. Ouachita beat Ruston 62-60 in the first game.
Tip off is set for 7 p.m. in Memorial Gym.
