By TYLER HENRY
Lead Sportswriter - Salina Post
Tuesday was a great night for the Bulldogs and Lady Bulldogs of Bennington, who pulled off the clean sweep of Ell-Saline to defend their home floor and complete season sweeps of both teams.
Girls Game: Bennington 43, Ell-Saline 32
In a close back-and-forth affair, inside play and offensive rebounds would win the day for Bennington, who staved off a late comeback bid from Ell-Saline.
With this result, the Lady Bulldogs move to 11-6 overall while Ell-Saline falls to 7-9.
The Lady Cardinals struck first in this game, getting out on an early 4-0 run, but by the end of the first quarter, Bennington was in control with a 10-6 lead.
That advantage would hold into halftime, but out of the break, Ell-Saline ramped up the pressure, attacking the basket and getting to the free throw line, where they were able to level the score at 31 all going into the fourth.
Bennington pulled ahead late thanks to some clutch free-throw shooting down the stretch, and survived a chaotic sequence late to pick up their second win over Ell-Saline on the year.
The Lady Bulldogs were led in scoring by Rori Miles (14), while Ell-Saline was anchored by Brin Hecker (13).
Boys Game: Bennington 48, Ell-Saline 41
On the boy’s side, this game had the makings of a shootout early but as both teams tightened the screws the Bulldogs were able to pull away and hold off the Cardinals late.
With this win, their second of the year over the now 8th-ranked Cardinals, Bennington moves to 14-3 while Ell-Saline falls to 13-3.
The Cardinals did a commendable job on all-state center Eli Lawson, denying him early touches and forcing Bennington to settle for jumpers and attack the basket without utilizing their big down low.
Despite getting just four first-half points from Lawson, the Bulldogs proved up to the task, with five different players scoring by halftime where they led 25-20.
The second half saw more of the same, but Ell-Saline found a spark offensively in the fourth quarter when Brogan Rowley knocked down back-to-back threes to trim the Bennington advantage down to three.
From there however, the Bulldogs were able to melt the clock and pull away at the free throw line, holding on for a 48-41 victory.
Bennington was led in scoring by Talan Pickering (16) and Eli Lawson (11) who did most of his damage in the second half.
Despite the loss Ell-Saline got excellent performances out of Brogan Rowley (18) and Kas Kramer (12).