Bulldogs pick up seventh-consecutive win over Normal West

BY FRED KRONER
fred@mahometnews.com

The Bulldogs, who haven’t lost since January ended, made Normal West their seventh consecutive victim on Tuesday in a non-conference game at home.

Grant Coleman led M-S in scoring (24 points) and rebounding (eight).

“He was a force on the glass for much of the game and gave Normal West a lot of issues matching up with his size,” M-S coach Ryan Bosch said.

Kobe Essien scored 13 points, Braden Finch tallied 10 and Eli Warren chipped in with seven points.

The teams were tied, 27-27, at halftime.

“It was a very hard-fought and physical game,” Bosch said. “We made some adjustments on both sides of the ball in the halftime locker room.

“In particular, we tried to clean up how we guarded Normal West’s screening action and some of our offensive spacing that had been thrown off by some quick shots.”

Cole Lener continued to excel, compiling a 10-assist, five-rebound, three-steal and two-block game.

“His defense all night (including five deflections), proved to be a huge part of our win,” Bosch said.

Warren totaled six assists and Coleman blocked two shots.

After three quarters, the Bulldogs had pulled into a 48-38 lead.

“Warren had a five-point stretch (a three-pointer and a layup in traffic) toward the end of the third quarter that was big in getting us some separation and that proved to be the difference in the game,” Bosch said.

M-S (18-10) returns to action on Friday at Charleston. The Bulldogs are 8-2 in Apollo Conference games.