The Virgin Valley High School girls basketball team, down most of the game, rallied to beat the Lady Eagles from Boulder City High School 40-36 on Saturday night at Desert Oasis High School in Southern Las Vegas for the 3A Southern Conference championship.

This win ensured that the Lady Bulldogs would move on to the "Big Dance," the Nevada State 3A Girls Basketball Tournament in Reno, Nevada on Thursday against Northern Nevada’s finest.

Bulldog fans filled the huge Desert Oasis gym in support of their ladies from Mesquite.

Although scoring the first basket to start the game, the Lady Bulldogs trailed for most of

As she did last week, Nikki Arquette hit a lay-up after getting the tip-off from Rachel Morris.

Turnovers were again the bane for the Lady Dogs as they scored only five points in the initial period.

The Lady Dogs trailed the Lady Eagles 5-9 after one period.

Both teams traded baskets for the second period as each squad increased their intensity.

The Bulldogs hit for 13 points in the quarter, matched by the ladies from Boulder City.

The Lady Bulldogs had a balanced attack led by Haile Wakefield, Jenelle Weythman, Morris and Madison Bowler.

VVHS ran off eight unanswered points to close the gap after two periods 18-22.

Virgin Valley did not have an answer for Lady Eagle guard Jessica Forester, who hit four long bombs in the period, leading all scorers with 12 points.

The ‘Dawgs fell back quickly 20-27 before Arquette made four quick lay-ups to get the Bulldog ladies back in the game.

VVHS could not take advantage of the foul troubles hampering the Lady Eagles, missing numerous free throws during the period.

Five quick points from center Morris gave the Bulldog ladies their first lead since the opening tip-off, 31-30.

Four free throws from Arquette, Morris and Bowler kept the Bulldogs up 37-36.

The Lady Bulldogs defense stepped up with Morris and Weythman blocking shots and pulling down important rebounds.

Virgin Valley closed out their scoring with free throws from Arquette and Morris to make the final score 40-36 in favor of the Lady Bulldogs.

The Ladies from Mesquite made a remarkable turnaround since losing big in Boulder City earlier in the month.

Clutch free-throw shooting kept the Dogs in the game, and their zone defense caused numerous passing errors by the Lady Eagles.

Coach Chimane Creer made one huge change since the earlier loss, utilizing Morris as a guard to help bring the ball down court.

“We kept our composure and hit critical free throws down the stretch,” said Creer.

“We played our best defense of the season in the second half,” she added. Rachel Morris led the Bulldogs in scoring with 13 points followed by Arquette with eight points.