Demons downed by Dutch

WASHINGTON — There wasn’t much Washington basketball could do on Tuesday night against Pella as the Dutch were red-hot shooting the ball.

Between the three ball and spurts of lockdown defense, the Dutch defeated the Demons 77-50. It’s Washington second loss on the season.

Things didn’t start out great for Washington on Tuesday night as Pella made nearly every shot on the offensive end, while the Demons struggled to find their stroke early.

Pella came out the gate on fire, opening with a 14-0 run, a deficit of which Washington could never get back to even.

The Dutch hit four threes in the span four minutes and added a pair of three throws to take the unanswered lead.

Ethan Patterson was able to get the Demons on the board, but it wasn’t until 1:39 was on the clock in the first.

As quick as Washington scored, Pella came back with the three ball, hitting back-to-back to make it 20-2 in the final 30 seconds.

Washington’s Evan Van Der Molen was able to make it 20-5 heading into the second quarter with a three of his own with 10 seconds left on the clock.

Pella hit a total of six threes in the first quarter alone. They continued the script into the second.

Washington got more aggressive on the offensive end in the second, but the three point shot was the difference once again.

After matching Pella with eight points a piece, 28-13, the Dutch once again hit back-to-back threes to push the lead to 34-13.

The Dutch would hit two more deep balls in the quarter.

Washington was able to end the quarter strong with a 9-5 run, which included six three throws and a three by Patterson at the buzzer.

By the end of the first half, Pella would hit 12 total threes.

At the break, Washington trailed 46-24.

Out of the break the Demons were able to settle in a bit on both ends.

After a neck-and-neck quarter, a late two by Logan McDole and a shot at the buzzer by Patterson cut the Dutch lead to 18, 57-39.

Washington would win the quarter 15-11, making it a 57-39 game heading into the fourth.

In the fourth, Pella continued to began to pour it on again.

After a 7-7 run, the Dutch ended the game with a 13-4 run.

“The first thing is, we have to make sure we’re ready to go,” Washington head coach Collin Stark said. “On game night we gotta do everything we can to make sure we’re mentally prepared to go right from the tip. I felt like at times there was times in that first half where that effort wasn’t there, we were frustrated. It’s still early, this is game three. We will continue to learn from this.”

Patterson paced the Demons with 13 points in the loss. Aden and Ajay Six each finished with eight skins.

The Demons drop to 1-2 on the season and they will take on Burlington on Friday.