Transition game pivotal in Cougar loss

Thursday, January 22, 2009
Mitchell Crum (shown here in a previous game) scored 13 in the Cougars' 78-61 loss to Monrovia Wednesday night.

MONROVIA -- North Putnam had more rebounds (33-30), fewer turnovers (14-17) and was more prolific and proficient at the foul line Wednesday against Monrovia.

So, how does one explain the Cougars' 78-61 loss in a West Central Conference boys basketball game at Branch McCracken Memorial Gym?

"We lost the game in transition," North Putnam coach Brady Armstrong. "This game was won and lost in transition and we didn't get back. We didn't find people (defensively)."

Monrovia shot 53.7 percent (29-of-54) from the field including 6-of-14 on 3-pointers in the fast-paced game.

The Cougars made 38.1 percent (21-of-55) of their field goal attempts and were 0-of-5 on 3-pointers.

Armstrong believes the difference was giving the Bulldogs (6-6, 3-1 WCC) too many open shots.

Monrovia's leading scorer was reserve guard Dalin Gray, who scored 14 on 4-of-4 from the field including a pair of 3-pointers and 4-of-5 at the free throw line.

"We had scouted him and didn't find him," Armstrong said.

North Putnam had an outstanding game from 6-foot-3 senior center Griffen Dahlstrom, who had 21 points and eight rebounds. Dahlstrom was 7-of-11 from the field and 7-of-10 at the foul line.

"Griffen had a good game," Armstrong said.

Senior guard Mitchell Crum contributed 13 points on 6-of-14 from the field and 1-of-2 at the foul line. Forward Scott Hunt had a game-high nine rebounds and added nine points for the Cougars.

North Putnam was a solid 19-of-27 (70.3 percent) at the foul line. Monrovia was 14-of-22 (63.6 percent).

The Cougars made it tough on the Bulldogs for two and a half quarters. They led 11-10 in the opening quarter before Monrovia went on a 9-0 run to take a lead it never surrendered.

The Cougars trailed 32-26 at halftime and Monrovia moved into a 10-point lead for the first time by scoring the opening four points of the second half.

North Putnam went on a 10-2 run, with Dahlstrom scoring four and Crum, Hunt and Jarrett Ban two to reduce its deficit to two, 38-36.

But Monrovia outscored the Cougars 16-7 in the rest of the third quarter to take a 54-43 lead.

Dahlstrom's basket to open the fourth quarter moved the Cougars within nine, but they never got any closer.

After Monrovia missed and North Putnam grabbed the rebound, the 5-foot-8 Gray stole the ball under the basket and turned it into a conventional three-point play and a 57-45 lead for the Bulldogs.

"Gray's steal swung the momentum," Armstrong said.

Jordan Standeford followed with a 3-pointer from the corner to boost Monrovia to a 60-45 advantage.

The game had quickly slipped out of North Putnam's reach.

"We've got to learn to play with poise," Armstrong said. "We had plays and we got rattled."

North Putnam's next game is Friday at Cloverdale in another WCC game.

At Monrovia

North Putnam 11 15 17 18 -- 61

Monrovia 17 15 22 24 -- 78

NORTH PUTNAM (61)

Dean 0-3 0-0 0, Hunt 4-11 1-3 9, Dahlstrom 7-11 7-10 21, Ban 4-6 0-0 8, Alcorn 0-3 2-2 2, Crum 6-14 1-2 13, Adams 0-2 1-2 1, Wiltermood 0-3 3-4 3, Jones 0-2 2-2 2, Spencer 0-0 2-2 2, Totals 21-55 1927 61.

MONROVIA (78)

Jordan Standeford 5-10 1-3 12, Watson 2-5 1-3 6, Shuee 4-8 0-0 8, Connor 2-8 0-0 5, Johnson 0-2 2-2 2, Gray 4-4 4-5 14, McCleerey 4-7 3-5 12, Joe Standeford 4-4 0-1 8, Porter 0-0 2-2 2, Sowers 1-1 0-0 2, McIntosh 1-2 0-0 2, Totals 29-54 14-22 78.

3-point field goals -- NP 0-5 (Dean 0-2, Alcorn 0-2, Crum 0-1), Mon 6-14 (Gray 2-2, McCleerey 1-2, Watson 1-2, Jor. Standeford 1-2, Connor 1-5). Rebounds: NP 33 (Hunt 9, Dahlstrom 8), Mon 30 (Shuee 3, Jor. Standeford 3, Joe Standeford 3). Turnovers: NP 14, Mon 17. Total fouls: NP 14, Mon 22. Fouled out: Shuee.

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