The Quantico Bulldogs men’s varsity basketball team was continually bombarded from behind the three-point line in an 87-79 loss against the Fort Meade Patriots at Barber Physical Activity Center on March 3.

The Bulldogs fought hard, but time after time a Patriots player was left open to drain a three-pointer as they out executed Quantico down the stretch to seal the victory.

The game was a dogfight between two teams familiar with each other, and in the first half Quantico relied on its tested veterans Peter Jackson and Chris Harris to control the game. Their leadership steadied the team and kept Quantico within striking range.

“Control the boards, then get out and run,” coach Jelani Nix instructed his team during an early timeout. “Let’s make them play our game.”

Quantico controlled the boards and had more fast break opportunities, but the Patriots were red-hot from the three-point line and that proved to be a great equalizer. At halftime it was still a close game, with the Patriots ahead 40-37.

The Bulldogs executed better to begin the second half, capitalizing on good defense to get out in transition for easy layups, but a switch to zone defense by the Patriots stymied their offense.

It was a tight game for much of the second half, but with less than three minutes left Meade began to pull away. Three-point dagger after dagger buried the Bulldogs as Ft. Meade pulled away for an 87-79 victory.

The loss sank Quantico to 6-5 overall in the Washington Area Military Athletic Conference.