Although wins have been tough to come by as of late for the Dolores High School girls basketball team, the play of senior Brianna Schwartz makes Bears games well worth the price of admission.
Bears drop tight contest to Ouray
Kicking off an impressive week at home against Ouray on Jan. 24, Schwartz nearly willed her team to victory, scoring 26 points during 69-63 Bears' loss.
Consistently penetrating the Ouray defense, scoring and dishing to teammates, Schwartz's stellar play during the first three quarters helped the Bears to enter the fourth leading 45-42.
After Bears starters Jessica Schliesser, Nichole Kibel and Larissa Umberger fouled out early in the fourth quarter, however, Ouray seized control, outscoring Dolores 27-18 in the fourth to secure a six-point win.
Key to the Ouray victory was the outstanding play of junior Jackie Saunders, who scored a game high 32-points.
Bears defeated by Centauri
Shortly after falling to Ouray, the travelled to face Centauri, and, despite another solid effort from Schwartz, lost 67-50.
Key to the Dolores loss was a tough first quarter that ended with the Bears trailing 19-4.
Although Dolores battled hard for the next three quarters and outscored Centauri 23-13 in the fourth, the early deficit proved too much to overcome.
Leading the way for the Bears with 28 points was Schwartz, who, displaying deft shooting touch, converted three out of five three-point attempts and nine out of 10 free throws.
With the loss, Dolores dropped to 5-6 on the season and will next play at Ignacio on Jan. 30.
