A vicious losing streak for the Mission Bulldogs grew longer and harder to stomach this weekend when they first sank 77-40 to Thompson Falls at home and then lost 55-22 on the road in Plains.

Against Thompson Falls, the Bulldogs started the first quarter well on both ends of the court.

The early success ended in a 14-9 first quarter in Thompson Falls’ favor where a couple of Mission baskets could have put the Bluehawks on the defensive.

But that is far from what took place in the second. 

“You can’t give up 34 points in a quarter and expect to win,” head coach James Lozeau said.

And it was no shootout either. Mission scored five measly points and the game was basically over from that point on.

Sophomore Riley Charlo led his team with 12 points, junior Jorren Gies had 10 and freshman Austin Durglo had eight.   

If there was one thing fueling the Bluehawk offense, it was Bulldog turnovers. Mission had 34 in the game, more than one every minute.    

Gies had ten defensive rebounds in the loss.

Even a 30-12 advantage in the third, one of the Bulldog’s strongest periods of attack in recent memory, couldn’t propel Mission anywhere near the Bluehawk lead. 

The next game Mission put up a greater defensive stand against Plains, but dropped out on offense, scoring only seven points in the first half and a scarce 22 in the entire 32 minute effort.

Gies had nine points and freshman Josh Durglo finished with eight.

Lozeau said his team is suffering from a common side-effect of a losing streak.

“They get that feeling of getting down and that ‘here we go again’ type of feeling,” Lozeau said.

With big games looming, Lozeau is searching for answers and looking back to the basics like fundamental passing and ball movement to bring his team out of its slump.

He believes the solution is starting a game right - a strong start could be what it takes to maintain focus and hopefully open up a new beginning for the Bulldogs.

Looking ahead to a weekend where Mission will again face Ronan, Lozeau said he would like to keep control of the ball - even for the whole game - if his team got the upper hand on Ronan, but said realistically basketball is about building a lead throughout.

It is going to take more scorers than usual leader Gies to compete in that one, Lozeau said.

He said it is a matter of wanting to be that guy - the one to take it.

“You got to go get it,” Lozeau said. “You can’t expect it to come to you.”

Besides Ronan, the Bulldogs get Charlo. Lozeau his team let the last matchup with the Vikings get away from them.

His team also shot very poorly from the free throw line in the close match.

“I’ll never forget it,” Lozeau said.

The Bulldogs play at 7:30 p.m. on Friday at Ronan and then at Charlo at 6 p.m. on Saturday in St. Ignatius.