Dunnellon rolls past Belleview in girls basketball

Dunnellon senior point guard Tatiana Matthews poured in a game-high 33 points and Tony’ah Boggs added 13 points to pace the Tigers to a 64-25 win over Belleview on Tuesday night.

The win improved Class 4A Dunnellon, which utilized a suffocating full-court press that forced Belleview into 23 turnovers, to 7-2 on the season.

“We played really sloppy tonight and according to the competition,” said Tigers coach Melissa Mosby. “Tatiana is going to be an excellent player if she continues to listen to us and follows the system.”

The loss dropped Class 5A Belleview to 4-2 overall.

Dunnellon, which won its fourth game in a row, came out firing on all cylinders as Boggs scored four points in the paint and Matthews exploded for 14 points as the Tigers jumped out to a 20-1 lead heading to the second quarter.

Belleview’s only point came on a free throw by freshman forward Albanis Mogollon, who finished with nine points. The Rattlers had trouble with Dunnellon’s quickness and athleticism, and a Tigers’ full-court press that made getting the ball over midcourt a challenge.

Dunnellon continued to press its advantage as junior shooting guard Alexa Weiser scored five of her nine points and senior forward Princess Hardin scored on a putback to extend the Tigers lead to 31-2 with under a minute left in the second quarter.

Belleview continued to battle and play hard as sophomore guard Briyanna Miles stole the ball, scored and converted a free throw to trim the Rattlers’ deficit to 31-5 at the half.

Belleview played on even terms with Dunnellon in the third quarter as Mogollon scored six of her nine points and Miles added four of her team-high 11 points.

Dunnellon kept Belleview from making any kind of comeback as Boggs, who had four steals, scored four points and Matthews, who had five steals and eight rebounds, added seven points, including a 3-pointer from the left baseline to give the Tigers a commanding 44-17 lead heading to the final eight minutes.

A running clock was used midway through the final quarter as Matthews buried a long 3-pointer and Hardin scored five of her 10 points for the Tigers.

Belleview, a small team that was at a distinct size disadvantage against Dunnellon, continued to play hard as Natalie Accius scored and Mogollon made several free throws.

Dunnellon, which committed 22 turnovers of its own, closed out the win in style as freshman guard Rhiley Marion drained a 3-pointer and Boggs scored on a rebound basket for the Tigers.

Dunnellon is back on the hardwood on Monday night with a home game against Vanguard, while Belleview is back in action on Monday with a road game at Citrus High.