For the second straight game the Rolla High School boys’ basketball team struggled in the second half, dropping a 68-53 non-conference decision to the Owensville Dutchmen Thursday night.
Rolla, now 6-12, had similar trouble after intermission in Tuesday’s home loss to conference foe Lebanon. It wasn’t any better two days later.
On Thursday RHS built a 14-9 lead after the first period. The Dutchmen closed the gap in the second quarter but Rolla still clung to a 24-22 halftime advantage.
Owensville then took control over the final two periods.
The Dutchmen, coming off a championship in the Hermann Tournament last week, outscored Rolla 23-10 in the third quarter to take a 45-34 lead into the fourth period.
Owensville had plenty of offense in the fourth quarter to hold on, outscoring RHS 23-19 in the period.
Andy Giger, a 6-2 senior, led Rolla with 13 points while 6-4 senior Brendon Dowdy added 12 points and 6-1 sophomore Jay Zalis 11.
Guard Kyle Bauer poured in 25 points to lead a Dutchman attack that featured four players scoring in double figures. Matt Jett added 16 points and Matt Herman 11.
Rolla’s junior varsity team posted an easy, 53-27 victory.
The Bulldog jayvee squad, now 14-2, led 18-6 after the first period and took a 31-14 halftime bulge. It was 42-25 entering the fourth quarter.
Nine players scored for the RHS jayvee squad, led by 10 points from 6-5 junior Andrew Barnes.
The Bulldogs are scheduled to play again tonight, hosting West Plains in Ozark Conference action. The jayvee game is to begin at 6 p.m. at the RHS gym with the varsity contest to follow.
