A low-scoring defensive battle reminiscent of a late-season Big Ten match-up took place March 14 at Prairie Park Elementary. The Clippers and Warriors fought each other like Illinois and Iowa during ESPN’s Rivalry Week. A second-half run gave the Clippers the lead and eventually a 15-10 victory.

Guards Tyler Walmsley and Nico Palacio led the Clippers and Warriors, respectively, in scoring and ran the offense throughout the game. The first half belonged to Palacio and the Warriors, who clung to a narrow one-point lead at the break.

“I really just like running around and leading the offense,” Palacio said.

Palacio certainly led the Warriors offense with a team-high six points. Fellow Warrior Jacalynn Smith added four points and battled on the blocks with the Clipper forwards. snagging her fair share of rebounds.

After a quiet first half, Walmsley exploded early in the second half for four of his seven points. The 4-0 Walmsley run gave the Clippers their first lead, one they wouldn’t relinquish for the rest of the game. Walmsley shared point guard duties with Isaac Platte, who added four points of his own during the game.

A large part of the Clippers’ victory came from getting second, third and fourth chances at the basket. Clippers forward Kalim Dowdell manned the glass throughout the game and in one trip down the floor garnered three offensive rebounds in a row. Dowdell also showed range in his jump shot, sinking an 18-footer late in the game to help seal the victory.

Warriors guard Nico Palacio rises for a shot over Clippers defender Tyler Walmsley. Palacio led the Warriors with six points during the Salvation Army League game at Prairie Park Elementary.

“My dad told me I could get a dollar for every rebound I grabbed, so I hustled to get everyone possible,” Dowdell said.

The incentive worked as Dowdell easily had double figures in the rebound category, giving himself and his teammates plenty of chances at the basket. Jackson Schneider benefited from one offensive board late in the game and wrapped up the 15-10 victory with a smooth jumper from the baseline.

The Warriors maintained smiles after the defeat and looked forward to the next time they could get out on the floor.

“I love basketball – shooting, passing, dribbling – I just like to do it all,” Warriors guard Christian Espinosa said.

With that attitude, Espinosa and the Warriors look forward to securing the win in their next trip out on the floor.