Tom Beschta, Leader Correspondent
Oconto survived Bonduel’s quick start and then cashed in from the free-throw line in the final quarter to escape with a 71-64 nonconference win Monday at Bonduel High School.
The Bears also had trouble controlling Oconto’s 6-foot-5 senior center, Conner Moe, who recorded a double-double with 20 points and 19 rebounds.
“We are not playing good enough defense, we are not taking care of the ball and we are not shooting well,” Bonduel coach Duke Copp said. “We have to get better.”
Bonduel (4-5, 1-3 Central Wisconsin Conference-8) took advantage of a fast-paced first quarter, capitalizing on Oconto turnovers created by a full-court press to end the quarter with a 17-16 lead.
Senior Corey Herbert’s two 3-point plays and a 3-pointer by Tanner Pillsbury late in the quarter enabled Oconto (6-3, 3-3 Packerland Conference) to keep pace with Bonduel, which also had several turnovers, in the opening period. After the Blue Devils took the lead in the second quarter, they held onto it the rest of the night.
Oconto coach Jon Bostedt said the Blue Devils expected a tough first quarter.
“It’s a tough place to play,” Bostedt said. “So I said if we can just withstand the wave, and not let it get out of control, we can come out and match their energy and just be in the game.”
Pillsbury drained two more 3-pointers — he had four in the game — as the Blue Devils built a 33-24 halftime advantage.
“We stopped making shots and we started turning the ball over and let them score,” Copp said. “The kid (Pillsbury) hit a few 3s and that was tough.”
Moe had four quick boards early in the third quarter that led to Blue Devil scores as they built a 47-37 edge.
Bonduel rallied for 27 fourth-quarter points, pulling to within four after guards Colton Dobratz hit a 3-pointer and Hunter VanDerLinden created a 3-point play off a steal.
Oconto, however, was clutch at the free-throw line, making 23 of 32 for the game, including 13 of 17 by Herbert, who finished with 17 points. Pillsbury was also in double figures with 18 points.
Top scorers for Bonduel were Trevor Pedersen with 17, VanDerLinden with 15, Dobratz with 12, and Zernicke with 11.
Bonduel (64)
Berry 0 3-4 3, Pedersen 7 3-4 17, Rosin 2 2-3-6, Dobratz 4 3-3 12, VanDerLinden 6 3-10 15, Zernicke 4 2-2 11
Oconto (71)
Erieau 0 4-6 4, Pillsbury 5 4-6 18, Herbert 2 13-17 17, Koch 2 0-0 4, Moe 9 2-3 20, Krueger 4 0-0 8
Bonduel 17 7 13 27 — 64
Oconto 16 17 14 24 — 71