BAKER GIRLS BASKETBALL: Melba rallies in second half to nip Bulldogs, 48-45

Published 6:28 pm Tuesday, January 21, 2025

Just when it looked as though Baker was going to run away with the game, the Melba Mustangs had a different plan.

After trailing 33-21 about midway through the third quarter, the Idaho school sent on a 27-8 run, then held off Baker’s last-minute rally to win 48-45.

Baker, ranked as high as sixth in one of the Class 4A polls, dropped to 10-7.

Baker took its biggest lead, 33-21, on Lily Logsdon’s 3-pointer, which followed less than a minute after Gracie Spike’s 3-pointer, which was Baker’s first of the game.

Melba dominated the rest of the way, outscoring Baker 12-2 to get within 35-33 after the third quarter. The Mustangs took the lead for good, at 36-35, on Ellie Johnson’s 3-pointer.

Baker tied the score for the final time, at 37, on Spike’s runner in the lane with 5:33 left, but Johnson swished another 3-pointer to make it 40-37. Melba extended its lead to as much as 48-41 with 1:35 left.

But the Bulldogs weren’t finished.

Kathryn Gentry made one of two free throws with 48.1 seconds left, and Logsdon stole the inbounds pass and tossed it to Gentry for a basket inside with 43.6 seconds left that cut the lead to 48-44.

Baker got another steal, and Melba was called for an offensive foul, but Baker missed three of four free throws in the final 21.8 seconds.

After a final timeout with 2.4 seconds left, Spike’s desperation 3-point try from the right baseline was on target but just a tad short.

Baker now prepares for a key Greater Oregon League game against La Grande on Friday, Jan. 24, at 6 p.m. in the Baker gym. The Bulldogs and Tigers are both tied atop the league standings at 1-0. La Grande is 11-3 after a 64-53 win over Stanfield, the second-ranked Class 2A team, on Tuesday, Jan. 21.

Molly Rasmussen, who missed most of the third quarter after picking up her third foul early in the quarter, led Baker with 14 points. Logsdon had nine points and Spike seven.

Melba’s Tariah Carter led all scorers with 16 points. Johnson, who made all three of the Mustangs’ 3-pointers, had 12.

Melba shot 26 free throws to Baker’s 13, but the Mustangs made just 13.

Baker won the JV game over Melba, 53-22.

Baker’s JV boys team traveled to Dayville Tuesday night and the Bulldogs dominated, winning 59-22.

Baker’s JV2 team also won easily over the Dayville JV, 62-20.

First quarter

Baker deployed its fullcourt press and forced a few turnovers, but the Bulldogs couldn’t turn any of the steals into points.

Ashlyn Dalton had a basket inside on a feed from Molly Rasmussen, and Dalton later made two of two free throws as Baker three times led by four points.

But the Mustangs made three of four free throws in the final minute to cut the Baker lead to 10-9 entering the second quarter.

Second quarter

Melba scored first to take its first lead at 11-10. The teams then swapped the lead three times over the first two minutes.

But then Molly Rasmussen found her rhythm, and her teammates started finding her open in the key.

Rasmussen scored nine points in the quarter, including a conventional three-point play with 56.8 seconds left, as Baker closed the half with a 13-4 run to lead 25-17 at the break.

Third quarter

Baker appeared poised to run away from the Mustangs as Spike and Logsdon made consecutive 3-pointers to boost Baker’s lead to a game-high 33-21.

But the Mustangs closed the quarter with a 12-2 run, including their first 3-pointer, to get within 35-33.

Baker played almost the entire quarter with Molly Rasmussen, who picked up her third foul in the first minute.

MELBA (48)

Lowber 3 4-6 10, Carter 5 6-18 15, Cole 0 0-2 0, Crimbchin 0 0-0 0, Rose 4 2-8 10, Johnson 4 1-2 12, Haten 0 0-0 0, Adams 0 0-0 0. Totals 16 13-26 48.

BAKER (45)

Gentry 1 3-4 5, Logsdon 4 0-0 9, Spike 3 0-2 7, Dalton 1 2-2 4, Whitford 0 0-0 0, Myer 0 0-0 0, G. Rasmussen 3 0-0 6, M. Rasmussen 6 2-5 14, Ramos 0 0-0 0. Totals 18 7-13 45.

Melba    9     8   16 15 — 48

Baker    10  15  10  10 — 45