Bulldogs Come Back For League Victory Over Circle

After trailing by seven points early in the fourth quarter, the Bainville Bulldogs put together an emotional comeback to edge Circle, 56-49, in boys’ basketball action on Saturday, Feb. 5.

The visiting Wildcats led 44-38 at the end of the third quarter and increased the gap to 45-38 when Jace Curtiss hit a free throw to open the fourth period.

The Bulldogs gained momentum with a three-pointer by Samuel Butikofer followed by a drive from twin brother Charles Butikofer to pull to 45-43.

Circle remained ahead on a pair of free throws by Chance Beley with 4:57 remaining, but Bainville stayed close on a free throw by Ayden Knudsen and a basket off a rebound by S. Butikofer.

Speedy senior guard Jesse Strickland then accounted for a steal and drive to put the Bulldogs up, 48-47, to excite Bainville’s strong fan support with 2:21 left.

After a defensive stop by the Bulldogs, Strickland hit two free throws for a 50-47 lead with 58 seconds left. A drive by Curtiss pulled Circle to 50-49 with 28 seconds left, but Strickland answered with two more free tosses.

After C. Butikofer took a charge with 15 seconds remaining, Bainville put the game away with two more free throws by Strickland and a final shot by S. Butikofer.

Top scorers for the Bulldogs were Strickland with 18, Knudsen with 11 and Braeden Romo with 10. Also scoring were S. Butikofer with nine and C. Butikofer with eight.

Leading Circle were Beley with 14, Jace Curtiss with 10, Donovan Gibbs with nine and Arley Idland with eight points.

Bainville held a 13-10 lead after baskets by S. Butikofer and Strickland ended the opening quarter.

A three-pointer by Knudsen increased the Bulldogs’ lead to 24-19 midway into the second period, but Circle accounted for the next eight points and went on to take a 29-26 half-time advantage.

Bainville will host MonDak on Friday, Feb. 11, and travel to Culbertson on Saturday, Feb. 12.