Cloverdale comes up small against bigger Bulldogs

CLOVERDALE--Cloverdale's girls struggled handling the basketball and inside against Monrovia's taller front line Friday, falling 51-31 in a West Central Conference game on the Clovers' court.

"We were definitely out-sized by their post players and that hurt us," Cloverdale coach Matthew Langdon said. "They're a very aggressive, super physical team. We didn't come out of the gate very well and it snowballed from there."

Monrovia's starting front line of 5-foot-11 Kristal Smith, 6-foot-2 Katie Casteel and 6-foot-2 Raven Delph plus 6-foot-1 backup Maddie Nay combined to block four shots and altered many others. Cloverdale doesn't have a starter taller than 5-foot-11. The Bulldogs (4-4, 2-0 WCC) had 30 rebounds to the Clovers' 26.

The Clovers also committed 31 turnovers to Monrovia's 15. Combined with the rebounds, it gave Monrovia a ball possession advantage that resulted in 64 field goal attempts to 31 for Cloverdale. The Bulldogs made 22, the Clovers nine.

"We took a step backwards tonight," Langdon said.

Langdon was pleased that the Clovers out-scored the Bulldogs 15-8 in the fourth period.

"We've gotten leadership from our seniors and played better this year about being proud and finished better," Langdon said.

Amillia Nally led the Clovers (4-6, 0-2 WCC) with 10 points. She made one-of-three field goals and was eight-of-eight at the free throw line; Paige Gruener added six points.

Cloverdale's next game is Tuesday at Clay City at 7:30 p.m.

At Cloverdale
Monrovia -- 15 12 16 8 -- 51
Cloverdale -- 6 6 4 15 -- 31