NEDERLAND — Friday ended a lot better than it started for the Nederland Bulldogs.

Nederland knocked off Hamshire-Fannett in the nightcap of the Bulldog Classic to put its championship fate in its own hands.

The Bulldogs, who defeated the Longhorns 63-21, must beat Alvin by six or more to reach the championship game. If the Bulldogs win by exactly five, Nederland plays in the 4:30 p.m. third place game. A win by four or less or an Alvin win, and the Bulldogs’ tournament stay is over. The championship game is set for 6 p.m.

Nederland (7-4) reached this situation after a commanding defeat over Hamshire-Fannett and a earlier 61-56 loss to Louisiana Christian.

The Bulldogs never trailed in the game as Jase Miguez scored the contest’s first five points. He finished with 20 points and three rebounds, even after sitting the entire third period.

Miguez threw in a dunk midway through the first for good measure to put the Bulldogs up 17-2.

Nederland held Hamshire-Fannett to three points in the first and then led 38-12 heading into the break.

“We were able play some different guys,” Nederland coach Brian English said of the win over Hamshire-Fannett. “We wanted to see what they could do. We wanted to try and get them ready. That is what tournaments are for.”

Reid Garrett scored seven points off the bench and Colton English put in five points and five rebounds.

Starter Kevin Howard had 10 points and Garrett Ary had seven points.

Nederland was up 47-19 in the fourth and then the Bulldogs erupted on a 10-0 run to push the lead to 57-19.

 

Louisiana Christian 61, Nederland 56

The Bulldogs seemed to be in control against Louisiana Christian after outscoring their opponent 14-4 in the first period. Miguez had seven points in the frame while Adrian Nelson knocked down a trey.

Nederland did not seem to let up in the second as the Bulldogs took 27-17 lead into the break.

Louisiana Christian then caught fire in the third with five three points. Louisiana Christian outscored Nederland 23-14 to close the gap to 41-40 heading to the fourth.

Nederland gave up 21 more points in the fourth and only scored 15 to go down in defeat.

Miguez scored 17 in the loss and Howard finished with 10 points.

Ladrakkus Thomas had 14 points and Jermel Andrus had 12 for Louisiana Christian.