Hancock's Emery Chynoweth (4) and Jana Pietila (20) battle Lake Linden-Hubbell's Maddy Dudenas for a rebound during a game Wednesday in Lake Linden. (Eddie O’Neill/For the Gazette)

LAKE LINDEN — It was the first meeting between the Hancock Bulldogs and Lake Linden-Hubbell Lakes girls basketball teams on the court Wednesday, and it was a good one. The Bulldogs proved to be the better team with a 41-31 victory.

The two teams tallied early baskets, and tied at seven, before the Bulldogs pulled out to a 12-7 lead after one.

A five-point lead morphed into a seven-point difference at half, 22-15.

The transition game was huge for us,” noted Bulldogs coach Carsen Chynoweth. “We were able to get a lot of points off that. We worked the ball well in the paint as well.”

Bulldogs continued their strong play in the third as they outscored the Lakes 15-7. Baskets came easy as the girls in red worked the ball well and forced turnovers.

While the Lakes outscored the Bulldogs 9-4 in the final eight minutes, it was not enough as the Bulldogs closed the game with their 10-point advantage.

Emery Chynoweth led the scoring for Bulldogs with 12. She was followed by Alice Larson with 10.

“I am giving the game ball to Alice,” said Carsen Chynoweth. “She shot the ball well for us, including a couple of threes that were good for us.”

Despite the loss, Lakes coach Cody Kumpula was not disappointed.

“That was a really good battle and something we needed,” he said. “Our girls played four solid quarters of basketball, and I really am happy with the effort.”

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The Bulldogs traveled to Gwinn on Friday to face the Modeltowners. The Lakes will travel to Jeffers on Tuesday to take on the Jets.