It was a fourth quarter to forget for the Goodrich basketball team.
For three quarters, the host Martians had complete command of their Feb. 10 game against Bentley, but the Bulldogs scored 30 points in the fourth quarter to defeat the Martians 71-68.
Goodrich fell to 8-6 overall and 6-4 in the Genesee Area Conference Red Division.
‘Sometimes, I don’t know if we can handle prosperity,? Goodrich coach Gary Barns said. ‘We need to learn how to win close games.?
The first quarter started out Goodrich’s way, as Michael Skinner drilled two 3-point shots and Max Bell scored five points to help give the Martians a 16-10 lead after the first quarter.
The Martians turned up the jets in the second quarter, as Wayne Coulman scored six points in the period and Bell five to give Goodrich a 36-21 lead at the half.
Through the third quarter, the Martians still controlled the action, as Skinner drained another pair of threes to power the Martians to a 51-41 lead after the third quarter.
However, Bentley’s Matt Campbell exploded in the fourth, scoring 16 of his game-leading 32 points in the final frame to spark the Bulldogs? comeback.
‘We were playing man-to-man,? Barns said. ‘We had guys out on them. We put Kirk Elsworth on him (Campbell), and he’s our best defender.?
Skinner led the Martians with 17 points, while Bell added 11 points and 11 rebounds and Coulman 10 points. Kirk Elsworth pulled down 10 rebounds and added seven assists and five steals for the Martians.
The Martians experienced better fortunes in their Feb. 6 game against New Lothrop.
Whether from behind the arc or at the charity stripe, the Martians? shooting skills helped them to a 64-56 win against the visiting Hornets.
The two teams battled nip-and-tuck through three quarters. Goodrich led by just three points at the half, 30-27, and after the third, held only a 43-39 lead against the Hornets.
Bell then sparked the Martians to a 10-0 run at the beginning of the fourth, scoring eight of his 19 points during that span. Skinner, who also scored 19 in the game to tie Bell for the game high, scored nine in the final period as well, helping the Martians to the win.
As a team, Goodrich converted eight 3-point shots. Bell connected on four of those shots, while Skinner drained two from long distance. The Martians also helped themselves from the free throw line, shooting 16-of-20 (80 percent).
Elsworth added 12 points for the Martians and tied Bell for the team lead with seven rebounds. Kal Ustishen and Gary Ebenhoeh both scored 15 points for New Lothrop (5-7, 3-5 GAC Blue).
The Martians return to the hardwood when they travel to Lake Fenton for a Feb. 20 contest.