DAYTON–The Lady Bulldogs are finding success by degrees as the second week of January commences following last weekend's losses to Garfield-Palouse and Oakesdale. Dayton played a non counter against the Sunnyside Christian Junior Varsity, matching the Lady Crusaders at halftime then falling behind when SSC's shots began to fall.

The Lady Bulldogs visit Yakama Nation Tribal this Friday and run to Pomeroy Saturday for a league counter.

The Lady Nighthawks showed their superiority with stingy defense and execution on offense when produced a 37-11 half time score and a 65-13 final. Samantha Holling led all scorers with 18, Bradyn Henley scored 12 and Payton Davis 11 for Oakesdale. Lady Bulldog Peyton Benavides was top scorer with six.

"Dayton competed well but we could not get any shots up with the pressure," said Head Coach Jorie Aukerman.

"With this being our third game in a row this week, our girls played hard every game," Aukerman said. "We could have easily given up during Oakesdale's game, but we trekked along. We are ready to go into the second half of this season and compete again with teams. I believe everyone will see a different team this second half as we have found what works for us, and are determined to finish the season strong."

At Palouse, the Lady Vikings took advantage of Dayton slow first half, chalking up 20-7 in the first quarter and leading 33-13 at half.

"We didn't get enough shots up and were trying to get used to the fast pace of the game," Aukerman said. "Gar-Pal was up on us hard on defense. "

Coach Aukerman said the half time talk were about perseverance, playing strong and attempting more shots. The team did shoot more in the second half, the coach noted, but nothing was falling.

The Lady Bulldogs started strong in the fourth quarter and continued trying to shoot more, Aukerman said. The strategy created some success as the Lady Dawgs stayed aggressive and ran through its plays.

"This created options to score and get points up on the board," she said. "Dayton outscored Gar-Pal in the fourth quarter, 18-10."

The Lady Bulldogs threw on a press with two minutes left and defended Gar-Pal, continuing to play hard until the clock run out. Kameryn Tupling stole the ball and makea lay-in at the buzzer, shaving the difference to 19 points."

"The girls are playing more as a team and realizing their hard work is paying off," Aukerman said. "We have finally been able to use our bench, and that has created a lot more scoring for us."

Against Sunnyside Christian, the Lady Dawgs started strong, and in the second quarter, Kinsey Fuller swished two threes. At half, Dayton and the Lady Crusaders were tied 14-14.

But the third quarter was all SSC and Dayton could manage only four points.

The team played hard in the fourth, but shots were not dropping, Aukerman said.

Oakesdale 65, Dayton 13 (1/6)

Day 5 6 0 2-13

Oak 19 18 19 9-65

Dayton (13) Kameryn Tupling 1, Marissa Tupling 2, Lila Hutchens 2, Peyton Benavides 6, Alexa Jones 2. Free throws: 1/6-17%. FG(2): 6/16-38%. FG(3): 0/5-0%.

Oakesdale (65) Lucy Hockett 8, Brieyn Henley 8, Payton Davis 11, Grace Perry 8, Bradyn Henley 12, Samantha Holling 18. Free throws: 8/16-50%. FG(2): 21/55-38%. FG(3): 5/17-29%.

Gar-Pal 54, Dayton 35 (1/5)

Day 7 6 4 18-35

GP 20 13 11 10-54

Dayton (35) Kinsey Fuller 2, Teagan Culley 5, Kameryn Tupling 8, Marissa Tupling 4, Lila Hutchens 4, Peyton Benavides 9, Alexa Jones 3. Free throws: 11/19-58%. FG(2): 9/44-20%. FG(3): 2/9-22%.

Gar-Pal (54) Kaydence Kivi 4, Zoe Laughery 6, Elena Flansburg 12, Kyra Brantner 12, Hailey Beckner 4, Morgan Lentz 5, Hettylee Laugher 3, Madi Cuellar 1, Molly Huffman 6, Kinsley Kelnhofer 1. Free throws: 8/15-53%. FG(2): 20/50-40%. FG(3): 2/16-13%.

Sunnyside Chr 37, Dayton 24 (1/4)

Day 3 11 4 6-24

SSC 6 8 19 4-37

Dayton (24) Kinsey Fuller 8, Teagan Culley 5, Marissa Tupling 2, Lila Hutchens 2, Jaelynn Chapman 1, Peyton Benavides 2, Alexa Jones 4. Free throws: 6/14-43%. FG(2): 6/42-14%. FG(3): 2/16-13%.

Sunnyside Christian JV (37 Jayna Elenbaas 3, Natalie Deboer 4, Maylee Smeenk 4, Sydney Peters 8, Hannah Clapp 6, Kendall Riel 12. Free throws: 0/3-0%. FG(2): 17/45-38%. FG(3): 1/10-10%.