WWW arkcity.net

By DAVID WOLMAN
Traveler Sports Editor
sports@arkcity.net

No need for the dramatic this time around.

Unfortunately for Arkansas City, it found itself trying to play catch-up nearly all of Tuesday evening's game.

Winfield used a stifling press defense to create the separation it needed early and then pulled away in the fourth quarter for a 41-31 win over the Bulldogs.

Natalie Benton recorded a putback off a missed three-pointer by Natalie Stinson to open the scoring, but things went downhill in a hurry for the Bulldogs.

Winfield's suffocating press defense started to make dividends. Katie Jackson recorded a steal on Ark City's next possession and Annalisa Jauregi converted a jumper.

Whether it was bad passes, troubling breaking out of a double team or an over-and-back call, Winfield's press defense forced the Bulldogs into committing eight of their 19 turnovers in the first quarter.

The Vikings took advantage of Ark City's early miscues, building a 12-2 lead after the first quarter.

"I thought that we would do a little bit better," Bulldogs coach Bill Stinson said. "We struggled against their press...The press slowed us down and we were never able to get into an offensive rhythm."

Winfield looked to avenge last week's 51-49 overtime loss to Ark City, and did. The Vikings outworked the Bulldogs in nearly every facet of Tuesday's game.

With just over three minutes left in the first quarter, Sarina Proctor missed the back end of a pair of free throws, but hustled to her right to get the rebound. Katie Jackson became the beneficiary of Proctor's hustle, draining a three-pointer for an early four-point lead.

"They wanted it a little more than us," Stinson said.

Jackson finished with 13 points and six rebounds, making three of her four three-pointers in the first half.

Jackson and Annalisa Jauregi (game-high 17 points and three rebounds) became a force for the Vikings, combining for 30 of Winfield's 41 points.

After coming out flat in the first quarter, Ark City (4-11) tried to chip away at Winfield's lead. But the Bulldogs found themselves trading baskets with the Vikings.

Karlye Sturd ended Ark City's scoreless drought of 7 minutes, 23 seconds with a putback to start the second quarter.

Natalie Stinson then hit a runner to close out the first half, but it only pulled Ark City to within 20-13 at intermission.

The Bulldogs dramatically cut down on the number of turnovers in the second half (6), which allowed them to finally develop a little consistency on the offensive end.

Benton (6 feet) and Sturd (5-foot-9) used their height to take advantage of a smaller Winfield team and develop a post presence for Ark City in the third quarter.

The Bulldogs scored six straight points to come within a single possession after a pair of free throws by Benton midway through the third quarter. Two-and-a-half minutes later, Benton recorded a putback to cut Winfield's lead to 26-24. Winfield held a slim 28-24 lead after three.

Benton scored six of her 12 points in the third quarter, in addition to eight rebounds. Sturd added six points and five rebounds.

"We still had a chance, but we're just...I don't know, we didn't play very well," coach Stinson said.

A daggering, straight-away three-pointer by Jackson to start the fourth quarter hurt Ark City's chances of a comeback.

Proctor capped off the win with a jumper following a steal by Jauregui late in the fourth.

Despite Ark City's 51-35 loss to Salina Central last Friday, coach Bill Stinson hoped that his team took a step in the right direction after its thrilling win over Winfield last Tuesday.

Instead, it appears that it is back to the drawing board for Ark City.

"It's just really disappointing," Bill Stinson said. "The win that we had last week sure doesn't feel as good now. I felt like we took a step back tonight. I hope that we can get it turned around and start playing better basketball."

Winfield 12 8 8 13 -- 41
Ark City 2 11 11 7 -- 31

Winfield -- Jauregui 17, Jackson 13, Proctor 5, Miller 3, Legako 1.
Ark City -- Benton 12, Stinson 8, Sturd 6, Warren 3, Jordan 2.