After getting off to a lackluster start the Altus High Bulldogs rebounded and rolled to an easy 76-49 victory over the Clinton Red Tornadoes here Tuesday night.

However, a disastrous third quarter proved to be costly to the Altus High Lady Bulldogs who were defeated 44-39 by the Clinton Lady Reds.

The Bulldogs couldn’t get any thing going offensively early in the game. They trailed by as much as eight points at one time.

But once they did get it going there was no stopping them.

Altus took the lead for the first time midway through the second quarter when Devin Wilkerson hit a lay up to make it 22-20. From that moment on the Bulldogs kept adding to their lead.

The biggest margin was the final score.

It was Wilkerson that led the Bulldogs in scoring. The 6-0 sophomore tallied 20 points. Malik Knight had 17 points while Kasen Warren finished with 10 points.

The Bulldogs (7-6) will play two time defending 3A state champion Oklahoma City Centennial in the first round of the Clester Harrington Shortgrass Invitational Basketball Tournament Thursday at 8 p.m.

The Lady Bulldogs were trailing only 20-19 at halftime. But they were outscored 17-2 by the Lady Reds in the third period.

But to Altus’ credit they did battle back to make a game of it. They whittled the 18 point deficit down to four at one time.

Tisay Woodhouse hit a shot with 1:10 left to pull the Lady Bulldogs to within four at 40-36. But Altus could draw no closer.

The Lady Bulldogs (4-12) were led in scoring by Itiya Knight who finished with 13 points. Carsyn King had 11 points.

Altus will take the rest of the week off. They will host Cache on Tuesday night.