It was in the one area that helped a win elude their grasp earlier in the week that the Douglas girls' basketball team was able push ahead to its first Sierra League win Friday night.
The Tigers stepped up their game down the stretch to take a 42-35 win over a much-improved Wooster squad in Minden, outscoring the Colts 17-11 from the midpoint of the third quarter on.
"We made good decisions as a team down the stretch," Douglas coach Werner Christen said. "We did a better job on the boards.
"Everyone did a good job."
Douglas had its hands full from the outset against the Colts, who gave Carson fits earlier in the week. The Tigers were held to just four points in the first quarter and led by only one (25-24) with 3:01 left in the third.
"We knew coming in that they were going to be a lot better," Christen said. "We knew we were in for a battle."
But where a late-game dry spell at Damonte Ranch earlier in the week led to the Mustangs pulling away in the final quarter, the Tigers were able to keep their offense together through the finish Friday.
"It was our rebounding," Christen said. "The guards really stepped it up, Ne'Jae Jackson did a great job. Susie White had a big rebound toward the end."
Douglas also greatly benefitted from a breakout game from 6-2 first-year transfer forward Ebony Cleveland.
Cleveland led the Tigers in the game with 10 points and had a number of big plays away from the ball as well.
"Ebony really played great," Christen said. "She got in the lane, she turned and faced the basket, she did a lot of really good things.
"We were really pleased with her play overall. She is still trying to fit in with the new program. We're working her in slowly and she is coming along. She had a really nice effort."
The Tigers made up for their four-point first quarter by shutting the Colts out defensively in the period.
After that, both teams settled into more of an offensive rhythm as the Tigers to an 18-10 lead into the locker room.
Douglas (1-3 Sierra League) got nine points from Jackson, eight points from Bri Burnside, seven points from Katie Dry, six points from White, three points from Jackie Harper and one point from Alex Laing.
"Everyone on the floor contributed," Christen said. "It was a good team win.
"It was just nice to get that first league win out of the way. They deserved it. They've been working hard in practice, they're good people, they do things the right way."
