The Window Rock Lady Scouts and Winslow Bulldogs both turned in stellar performances on the hardwood en route to hard earned victories in the spacious Events Center on the campus of Window Rock High School on Saturday night.

The Lady Scouts raced out to a 12-point lead, 18-6, during the first quarter to post a 55-43 victory in a freedom game. Winslow were within two points, 30-28, with 3:28 remaining in the third quarter. Window Rock regrouped to pull away.

In the boy's contest, Winslow turned a six point, 20-14, first quarter lead into a 24 point win, 76-52.

The Bulldogs' inside players, Dustin Richard and Zachary Wagner, were tough in the clutch, canning basket-after-basket from inside the paint. Richard rattled the cages for 24 points and Wagner poured in 21 points in a winning effort.

GIRLS

WINDOW ROCK 55, WINSLOW 43

Paced by sisters, Robbie and Bayle Talkalai, Window Rock took a 5-0 lead, to begin the game. Winslow sophomore standout Kylie Begay knocked down a trey to break the Lady Bulldogs scoreless mark.

Window Rock's Rachael Smiley began the Lady Scouts' rally with a pair of free throws. The 11-point rally was culminated by Shinezbi' Teller's basket from the perimeter got a 16-3 lead with 2:46 remaining in the opening quarter.

Winslow's Kristen Wagner nailed a basket and a free throw, bringing the Lady Bulldogs within 12 points, 18-6, when the first period ended.

Teller's three-pointer lifted Window Rock to a 21-6 advantage. Briana Little and Begay knocked down back-to-back three-pointers, as the Lady Bulldogs sliced the Lady Scouts' lead to 21-12 with 5:40 remaining in the second period.

A free throw by Begay brought the Lady Bulldogs within five points, 23-18 with 2:21 left in the second stanza. Window Rock outscored Winslow, 5-2, during the final minute of action for a 28-20 halftime lead.

Winslow outscored Window Rock, 6-0, thanks to a trey and a free throw by Begay and a basket by Wagner. The Lady Bulldogs cut the Lady Scouts' lead to two points, 28-26.

The Lady Scouts outscored the Lady Bulldogs, 11-2, to take a 39-28 advantage as the third quarter ended.

During the opening four minutes of the fourth quarter, Window Rock increased its lead to nine points, 47-36. A three-point by Andrea Willeto and a basket by Begay brought Winslow within eight points, 49-41 with 2:44 left in the contest.

The Lady Scouts outscored the Lady Bulldogs, 6-2, to post a victory.

Kylie Begay knocked down 22 points to lead Winslow offensively.

Winslow head coach Jerron Jordan said the Lady Bulldogs did not have any energy.

"The girls were flat," Jordan said. "We started the game flat. That continued throughout the game. We had to play catchup after we fell behind the first quarter. We played well in spurts and we made a good run."

Winslow, 6-5 overall, face Rio Rico on January 2, 2020 at 7 p.m. in the first round of the Diamond Division of the Chandler Prep Girl's Basketball New Year's Classic.

Three Window Rock players scored in double digits for the game. Robbie Talkalai poured in 13 points. Bayle Talkalai and Shinezbi Teller each scored 11 points for the Lady Scouts.

Window Rock head coach Sharon Toadecheenie said the Lady Scouts' key to the victory was playing patiently.

"The girls played patiently," Toadecheenie said. "We didn't rush our shots. We moved the ball around patiently. We took the lead in the first quarter and played patiently. We controlled the tempo of the game. We played good defense. Everyone played well. It was a good win against a quality opponent.

Window Rock improved to 9-2 overall. The Lady Scouts meets Casteel on January 2 at 1 p.m. in the Diamond Division of the Chandler Prep Girl's Basketball New Year's Classic.

BOYS

WINSLOW 76, WINDOW ROCK 52

Winslow's Dustin Richard presence inside the paint was the key to the Bulldogs' performance in the first quarter. Richard canned nine of Winslow's 20 points during the first quarter. Window Rock managed to hit for 14 points during the opening stanza.

Window Rock outscored Winslow, 6-5, during the opening two minutes of the second quarter. Winslow led, 25-20.

Behind Richard, Wagner and Jordan Lee, the Bulldogs outscored the Scouts, 8-0, for a 33-20 lead.

During the run, Wagner scored six points, Richard and Lee each tallied two points.

Winslow built a 15 point advantage, 37-22, when Wagner scored from inside the paint. Scouts' Derian Long connected on a pair of free throws, as Window Rock cut Winslow's advantage to 13 points, 37-24, at the end of the second quarter.

Richard and Wagner continued to give Window Rock misery during the third quarter. Wagner scored eight points and Richard tallied seven points.

Winslow pushed its lead to 55-42 at the end of the third quarter.

With over two minutes remaining in the game, Winslow's Kanon Boloz nailed a trey, giving the Bulldogs a 70-47 lead.

"The key to our win was effort," said Winslow head coach Scott Corum. "We have talented players and they have athleticism. The players put all together and they put on a good showing on the floor."

Winslow improved to 13-4 overall. The Bulldogs host American Leadership Academy-Queen Creek on January 3 in Winslow at 6 p.m.

"Winslow beat us with their post play," Window Rock head coach Tom Bizardi said. "Winslow's two inside players (Dustin Richard and Zachary Wagner) scored majority of their points from inside the paint. We have to defend that. It's a learning process for the kids."

Window Rock, 8-5 overll, face Paradise Honors on January 2 at 5:30 p.m. at American Leadership Academy-Gilbert North in the Pre-Bracket game in the Chandler Prep Boy's Basketball New Year's Classic in Chandler, Arizona.

Marion Ynunza led Window Rock with 15 points and Derian Long added 10 points for the Scouts.