Bulldogs Surge Past Stags in Physical Late-Night Regional Thriller

SPOKANE, WA — In a game that tested both their stamina and their resolve, the Ellensburg Bulldogs secured a commanding 58–49 victory over the Deer Park Stags in a late-night regional matchup on February 28, 2026. Tipping off at 8:00 PM at West Valley High School, the contest was defined by an incredibly fast pace and high-level physical play from the opening whistle.

Standish Sets the Tone; Moffat Anchors the Defense

Bella Standish (#32) served as the heartbeat for the Bulldogs in the opening half. Displaying clinical efficiency, Standish poured in 23 of her game-high 35 points before the halftime break, including a flurry of three 3-pointers in the second quarter alone. Her offensive explosion allowed Ellensburg to carry a 31–24 lead into the locker room.

While Standish handled the scoring, Molly Moffat (#3) provided the grit. Moffat was relentless on the defensive end, spearheading a Bulldog press that forced Deer Park into difficult shots and high-pressure situations throughout the night. Moffat also contributed 5 points and a perfect 2-for-2 performance from the charity stripe.

A Total Team Effort

As the game dictated, different Bulldogs stepped up in critical moments to maintain the lead:

• Ellie Markus (#1) was a force in the paint, finishing with 14 points and providing a much-needed interior presence during the physical second half.
• Faith Rector (#44) provided a major spark off the bench, contributing several key defensive stops during the second-half grind.
• Riley Ross (#23) stayed poised in the face of Deer Park’s comeback attempts, adding strong defense and playing vital minutes in the Bulldogs’ rotation.

Deer Park was led by Jacey Boesel with 27 points and Ashlan Bryant (#22) with 11, but the Bulldogs’ depth and conditioning proved too much in the final frame.

Quarterly Scoring Summary

The Bulldogs will now face off against the winner of Fife and Selah in a quarterfinal basketball game at 2pm on Thursday, March 5, in the Yakima SunDome.