Rock Bridge was coming off an emotional triple overtime loss earlier in the week to crosstown rival Hickman.
Washington had not played a game in nine days.
Perhaps the Bruins, playing in their backyard, were a bit more determined when they met the Blue Jays in the MFA Oil-Break Time Shootout Sunday at Mizzou Arena in Columbia.
Rock Bridge (10-7) shot lights out for most of the game and handled Washington, 76-51.
“They shot the ball unbelievably well,” said Washington Head Coach Chip Sodemann. “The strength of their team lies in the guards. They attacked our zone and found guys open on the perimeter. They shot the ball with confidence.”
The Bruins made nine three-pointers in the first half, which helped turn a 19-12 lead after one quarter to a 43-23 advantage at halftime.
Rock Bridge led 63-39 after three quarters.
Ronnie Suggs led Washington (13-7) in the scoring column with 20 points.
Jared Walde finished the game with eight points.
Luke Schroepfer and Jacob Mulkey both scored seven points.
Luke Hasenjaeger netted four points. Patrick Menke and Cory Epperson both scored two points. Cole Schroepfer had one point.
Brad Carpenter, Austin Subke and Christian Hardesty also played, but did not score.
Nick Norton, a junior guard for the Bruins who already has given Creighton University a verbal commitment, was named the game’s most valuable player, finishing with 19 points and nine assists.
Ryan Kreklow, a sophomore guard, also had a hot hand from three-point territory.
Rock Bridge outscored Washington in the second half, 33-28.
“Our kids played hard. Rock Bridge is a really good team. We looked like a team that hadn’t played a game in nine days,” Sodemann said. “The way Rock Bridge shot the ball, it compared to our game against CBC, where CBC made 10 three-pointers in the first half.”
Sodemann hopes playing against the likes of CBC, DeSmet and Rock Bridge will help the Blue Jays down the stretch.
“Rock Bridge is very talented. Playing good teams will only help us,” Sodemann said. “It was a neat experience for our guys. For them to play on a big stage against teams on that level, hopefully it will make them want to get better.”
