The Willow Springs Bears traveled to face the Gainesville Bulldogs on Saturday. The Bears got off to a hot start, due in part to their three point shooting. Willow Springs led 10-0 before the Bulldogs were able to respond. Once Gainesville responded, they went on a run of their own, dwindling the Bear lead to one. The Bulldogs led 16-14 after one quarter.
A Gainesville scoring run that started in the first quarter continued into the second quarter. The Bulldogs went on a 24-4 scoring run, taking a ten point lead over the Bears. Willow Springs struggled to find their shots and went scoreless for most of the second quarter. The Bulldogs led at the end of the first half 27-19.
The Bears decided to claw their way back into the game. Willow started the third quarter on a 5-0 run. Gainesville responded with a 3 point shot. The scoring pattern changed to a back and forth style in the third quarter The Bears were efficient in the quarter and outscored the Bulldogs 20-9. Willow Springs led 39-36 going into the fourth quarter.
During the fourth quarter the back and forth scoring continued with neither team being able to build a decent lead. The Bears were able to maintain a small lead for most of the quarter. As the game clock ticked down, the Bears used free throws to pull away. Willow Springs won 58-50.
The Bears will be at home on Tuesday to face another set of Bulldogs, with the Cabool Bulldogs. The game will be on KUKU 100.3.
