Homer Alaska - Sports

Mariner girls suffered a tough loss Saturday in an early-season basketball matchup falling to the Nikiski Bulldogs in Homer, 37-35.

The score was tied 8-8 at the end of the first quarter, but Nikiski clawed out a narrow four-point lead in a defensive second to hold a 17-13 lead at half time.

Scoring was nearly even in the third quarter, but Nikiski was able to stretch its lead to five points and took a 31-26 lead into the final quarter.

The Mariners outscored the Bulldogs 9-6 in the final stanza, but it was too little, too late.

Nikiski's Dylan Holloway led all scorers with 14. Homer's Elissa Tutt scored nine while Miranda Beach sank eight.

Mariner boys JV fell to the Nikiski Bulldogs 43-41 in a hard-fought game.

Leading by two points at halftime, Homer shooters turned cold in the third quarter managing just three field goals for six points, while Bulldog netters sank seven, including a three-pointer, and added a pair of free throws for 17.

The Ms reversed the trend in the fourth with a 14-point effort, but the Bulldogs scored seven of their own and remained a field goal ahead at the buzzer.

Nikiski's Parrish led all scorers with a dozen. Kenneth Schneider sank 10 points in, topping Homer scorers.

Mariner JV girls found scoring difficult against Bulldog defenders, managing only 11 points in the game, which Nikiski won 33-11.

Homer boys played Nikiski in a scrimmage. No score was kept.

The boys travel to Soldotna for games Thursday, Friday and Saturday.