SEATTLE — All year long, the Port Angeles boys basketball team has had to bounce back from adversity, and on Monday, the Roughriders did it again.
After losing a game at the buzzer Friday night against North Mason, the Riders came back Monday to stifle Eisenhower, a 4A school, 50-41 in a Martin Luther King Jr. Day game played at Seattle Pacific University.
“Defensively, we were great. Our ball pressure was really good. Our rotations were sharp,” said coach Kasey Ulin. “We played more zone than we have. And we also took care of the ball.
“The guys played hard, it was nice to get a win,” he said.
The Riders played without leading scorer Gus Halberg. Starting in his place was Brody Pierce. He said Pierce played well as did Ashton Gedelman and especially Abe Brenkman off the bench.
“Abe Brenkman was outstanding. He played about 15 minutes. It was the best game of his career,” Ulin said.
Friday’s loss was the third one-possession loss of the year. It was also the third game lost — or tied — at the buzzer and the second overtime loss. With a bit of luck, the Riders could be 10-5 instead of 6-9.
“I love these guys. I love how they keep coming back from every setback. I’m fortunate to coach these guys,” Ulin said.
The Riders took control of the game with a 12-2 run to open the secondhalf and was up 49-31 with two minutes left in the game. Port Angeles held Eisenhower to 12-44 shooting (27 percent) and outrebounded the Cadets 38-21, while committing just six turnovers.
Blake Sohlberg led the team with 12 points, while Matthew Miller and Pierce each had eight. Brock Hope had nine rebounds.
The Riders (2-7, 6-9) host Bainbridge (6-2, 11-3) at 7 p.m. today, looking for revenge for one of those tough losses earlier this year. In the first meeting this year, Bainbridge hit a desperation 3-pointer at the buzzer with Port Angeles defenders draped all over the shooter to tie the game and send it to overtime. The Spartans went on to win in overtime 71-66.
