NEDERLAND — Nederland’s 2015 stint in the Bulldogs Classic started out with a bang Thursday.
Jase Miguez led the Bulldogs with 22 as Nederland downed Barbers Hill, 57-31. Nederland (6-3) also got 11 points and six rebounds from post Kevin Howard and Darrell Jones added five points and eight boards.
The Bulldogs took its first lead of the night at 12-10 late in the first period and never trailed again in the game.
Nederland took the lead on a shot from Miguez, and then he drained a three to give the Bulldogs a 15-10 lead. Adrian Nelson closed out the first period with a bucket and the Bulldogs led 17-10 heading into the second.
Barbers Hill (3-2) climbed right back into the game with back-to-back treys to open the second. Miguez then scored the next nine points as the Bulldogs opened a 23-19 gap.
“We played good tonight,” Nederland coach Brian English said. “Defensively we are starting to play better. Our big kid (Howard) maybe had the best game of his career. Jase was shooting with confidence tonight. Sometimes he thinks he has to make every shot. That is just not going to happen, but you have to like that about him. His defense was great tonight and I think that helped his offense.”
Nederland’s defense forced 18 turnovers, and the Bulldogs only had nine giveaways on offense.
“Our defensive intensity was strong tonight,” English said. “When we do that, we are pretty good. Those turnovers were coming at the right time.”
Eight of the Eagles’ made buckets came behind the arc.
The Bulldogs also did a good job keeping the Eagles away from the free throw line.
Barbers Hill took nine shots from the charity stripe and only sank one of the attempts. Nederland finished 10 for 13 from the line.
The two teams went cold in the third as the Bulldogs outscored the Eagles, 9-5. Nederland opened the fourth on an 8-0 run and led 48-24.
The Bulldogs defense stepped again in the fourth and held the Eagles to seven points. Nederland outscored Barbers Hill 26-12 in the second half.
The Bulldogs held a 32-19 rebound edge in the game.
Nederland is back at it at 1:30 p.m. today at Louisiana Christian. The Bulldogs face Hamshire-Fannett at 7:30 p.m.