Rattlers Tame Bulldogs in the Snakepit

By Jerry Castro  

KTSW Reporter 

SAN MARCOS, Texas– The Rattlers escape with a narrow victory against the Bowie Bulldogs with a 58-54 win.  

The Rattlers won the tip and scored in no time. Ayleceia Pierson scored an easy wide-open layup within the first possession of the Rattlers. But this would be the last easy bucket for most of the quarter as both teams showcased their amazing defense.  The Rattlers and Bulldogs were neck and neck in the quarter, but the Rattlers held on to a three-point lead as the score was 14-11 

The second quarter was a different story though as both teams got a sense of each other’s play and they went at it. Melayna Perkins and Rileigh Good led the way in this quarter as Perkins was bruising in the paint and Good was cashing it from three as the lead ballooned to 28-18. This didn’t faze the Bulldogs as they came back and cut the deficit to four to end the half with the score being 30-26 in the Rattlers favor. 

The Rattlers went into the locker room feeling optimistic as the Bulldogs were hungry to get a lead as they hadn’t held a lead for most of the game. 

The third quarter began and like the second quarter the Rattlers took off. The Rattlers used the paint to their advantage as Ayleceia Pierson maneuvered her way to the basket for the and-one and the lead was 41-30. But the Bulldogs broke the leash as they scored 9 points in 2 minutes as they were clicking on all cylinders on offense. The Rattlers were losing the momentum as they only lead 42-39 to end the third quarter.  

This fourth quarter was a hard-fought battle as none of the teams let off the gas on defense. Players on both sides were diving on the ground for the loose ball and forcing multiple jump balls. Five minutes passed by, and the score was tied 48-48 as the Bulldogs scored a transition lay-up. However, Melayna Perkins fought for the offensive rebound and put it back up for the and-one to give the Rattlers a two-point lead. The end of this quarter was scrappy as most of the points were coming from the free throw line as the Rattlers came away with a 58-54 victory to extend their winning streak to three games in a row.  

Throughout this game there were multiple instances where the Rattlers ran with a lead, but they almost gave it up. When talking to guard Ezra Tobias about how they keep their pedal on the gas even if it seems like the other team has the momentum she said, “You just got to keep pushing and having that motor and just keep on doing what you’ve been doing.” 

The Rattlers will stay home as they face off against the 8-2 Davenport Wolves, Tuesday at 6:30 P.M