The Moffat County High School girls freshmen basketball team played a stingy defense in the second half to pick up a, 39-36, victory over the Snake River Rattlers junior varsity team Tuesday at the high school gym.

The Bulldogs improved to 3-1 on the year.

“They were down at halftime and came back to win the game,” said Bulldogs coach Jim Loughran. “They played great defense in the the second half. They also started to hit some shots and they did a good job.”

The Rattlers started off the game by taking an 11-6 lead after one period of play. In the second quarter, Snake River continued to increase its advantage and after two quarters the Rattlers were up, 25-14.

“At halftime we just talked about what our big people needed to do,” said Loughran. “We cut down the middle and we packed the paint, because they (Snake River) couldn’t hit the outside shot. That made the difference for us.”

In the second half, the Bulldogs were on fire and after three quarters the game was tied, 29-29. In the fourth quarter MCHS allowed just five points to earn the three-point victory.

For the Bulldogs, Kate Schafer paced the team with 13 points. Ashley Bishop and Aubrey Ripkoski both added six points.

s while Jeni Jones finished with five points.

The Rattlers were led by Erica Kramer who had game-high honors with 14 points.

The Bulldogs will next hit the court at 2:30 p.m. Saturday against Roaring Fork at the high school gym.