It was a whole different ball game for the Moffat County High School girls varsity basketball team in its second day at the 3A state tournament.

MCHS took control in the first session of consolation games, gaining a 63-47 victory against the Centauri Falcons at Colorado School of Mines.

The Lady Bulldogs clipped the La Jara team’s wings early in the match, a 16-13 lead at the close of the first quarter growing more and more until they were ahead, 29-19 at halftime.

It was the third quarter, however, that proved Moffat County had shaken off its Thursday defeat by Lutheran, able to bring their advantage to 50-29, at their peak the Lady Dogs in the lead by as much as 21.

Smart ball movement and efficient shooting were consistent in a game that coach Sam McLeod saw as the team playing to their full potential, free of the nerves that beset them in the Great 8.

“It showed them that they can compete at this level and that they do belong,” he said, adding that the speed and intensity that come with state games are something the girls can easily handle, setting a new benchmark for what to work toward in the off-season.

All the Bulldog starters were in double digits, with Josey King at the top of scoring with 13, Morgan Lawton 11 and Leah Camilletti, Mattie Jo Duzik and Kayla Pinnt each taking 10.

Additionally, Katia Voloshin had five points, Katelyn Peroulis three and Charli Earle one.

The win pushes the 20-6 MCHS girls — sixth seed in the playoffs — to the full 27-game allotment, as they play their last 32 minutes of the year Saturday morning against the Eaton Reds, ranked No. 5 in 3A, the winner ending their season in fifth place.

Contact Andy Bockelman at 970-875-1793 or abockelman@CraigDailyPress.com or follow him on Twitter @CDP_Sports.