Taking down Dunham

Ruston’s defensive identity and proven shot makers showed up when they were needed most in a 55-43 win over No. 2 Dunham Thursday at Memorial Gym Thursday.

The No. 10 Bearcats (18-9) relinquished their 22-15 halftime lead six minutes into the third quarter, as the Tigers began to heat up from three, get out in transition and secure multiple offensive rebounds to storm ahead 33- 30 with 2:00 to go in the third. Dunham looked in control.

But Ruston didn’t let the lapse snowball much longer after two late threes to end the quarter handed the Bearcats the lead back at 38- 35 entering the fourth. They never looked back.

Whether it was Lonnie Dimmer turning a loose ball in transition into a layup plus a foul, or a steal near the sideline by Jamadrion Lillard, the Bearcats’ defensive toughness propelled them to outscore Dunham 17-8 in the fourth, including a five- minute stretch where the Tigers went scoreless.

It was Ruston basketball and the kind of win head coach Ryan Bond hopes his team uses as a building block as the regular season winds down and playoff time gets closer.

It’s the first time since Jan. 14 an opponent has held Dunham under 45 points.

“First of all, they’re good. Really good kids and well coached and we appreciate them coming up here,” Bond said. “In the first few minutes of the game, we were overplaying and letting them catch the ball past the three-point line. Third quarter, they were catching it closer and if made it easier for them to get shots and offensive rebounds. I called timeout and I said, ‘we gotta get back to overplaying,’ and we did that. We just wanna keep up momentum, no matter where we finish in the power rankings.”

The backbreaker for Dunham came out of a Ruston timeout, with the Bearcats hanging on to a 40-37 lead.

Bond drew up a designed screen to help Aidan Anding slip through and sit wide open in the corner for a shot attempt in front of Ruston’s bench. Shooting over 34% from three this season, Bond knew it’s always a safe bet trusting Anding.

Out of the timeout, Dunham’s defense was caught sleeping — much to the vocal displeasure of the visitors’ coaching staff — and there was Anding for a wide-open three. Ruston led 43-37.

The shot sparked a 7-2 run over the next three minutes that iced the game for Ruston.

“ The timeout was a little variation normally of what we did sideline out of bounds, but Aidan has done it before the last couple years,” Bond said. “If his defender isn’t paying attention he can come to the strong side corner. Aidan’s a shooter and we’re going to let him shoot that 10 out 10 times.”

It may not have shown up on the box score, but Lillard’s defensive presence, including a late steal and score in the fourth, was crucial for Ruston in the win.

But Bond certainly noticed.

“He’s a senior. He’s a ‘post guy’ but he can guard one through five. Today, he looked like the old Jamadrion, and that’s why he got more minutes.”

Anding led Ruston with 16 points with four three- pointers, while Joran Parker scored 15 points. Ahmad Hudson finished with 8 points and 4 blocks.

Ruston will close the regular season against Lakeview on Saturday at 3 p.m. at the Red River Classic. Playoff pairings will be announced Monday.