Alexus Outlaw, of Dufur, takes a jumper in front of South Wasco’s Kiana Moody (34) in Saturday’s game played in Dufur. The Rangers won, 41-36. Robert Wallace/Contributed photo
Alexus Outlaw, of Dufur, takes a jumper in front of South Wasco’s Kiana Moody (34) in Saturday’s game played in Dufur. The Rangers won, 41-36. Robert Wallace/Contributed photo
After a 1-8 start to the regular season, the Dufur Rangers are riding a three-game winning streak to move a step closer to playoff contention after a 41-36 triumph over South Wasco County Saturday in Dufur.
“This is a great win for the Lady Rangers tonight,” said Dufur head coach Jack Henderson. “We played our best three quarters of the season tonight and hung on for the win in the fourth quarter.”
The Lady Rangers led 38-21 through the first three quarters, but the Redsides battled tough in the game’s final eight minutes with a 15-3 spurt.
Jada Myers had eight points, Madisen Davis and Allie Noland added a field goal apiece, and Abby Birman went 3 of 4 from the line to spearhead the rally, as Dufur was held without a field goal and converted 3 of 16 free throws.
“Our fourth-quarter run was the best quarter of the game,” said SWC coach Bill Mead. “We have to show up and play a whole game.”
In the first quarter, Outlaw and Emily DePriest had five points each and Chloe Beeson went for four points each to make it a 16-4 score.
Both teams scored eight points in the second quarter to lead 24-12 at the half, but then Dufur took control in the third period.
Sydney Reed hit three baskets for six points, Beeson had four points and the duo of Outlaw and DePriest had a field goal apiece to cap a 14-9 run to make it 38-21 entering the final period.
All told, the Rangers sank 14 field goals, two from long distance and converted 9 of 31 free throws, 6 of 12 in the first half.
Reed scored 12 points, Outlaw added 11, Beeson was good for 10, and DePriest had eight points.
“Our balanced scoring on a consistent basis has been a huge key to our having success in games,” Henderson said. “Defensively, we played very well, created some easy opportunities on the break and finished. We continue to improve in that area.”
South Wasco County (9-9 overall, 4-5 league) hit on 9 of 22 free throws and added 13 field goals, nine of those coming in the second half.
Myers netted a season-high 14 points, Birman tallied 13 and Noland added four points.
Even with the slow start, the Rangers never wavered in their belief that they could make a run for the district playoffs.
Now in a fourth-place league tie, Dufur (5-12, 4-5) has five league games and a non-league game left on the schedule to try and cement a district berth.
“Our girls are focused on improvement every day,” Henderson said. “They practice well and believed that they could compete when we were getting beat a lot. Their resiliency is inspiring to me. I’m amazed at our progress this season.”
At 6 p.m. Friday, Dufur heads to Ione to take on the second-place Cardinals (10-7, 7-2).
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