In their first game earlier this season, Dundalk outlasted Woodlawn by two points.
Last night, the Owls left no doubt.
Dundalk (14-2, 13-1) used a run-and-gun style, an improving defense, and 26 points from senior center Danny Thorpe to rout host Woodlawn, 102-78, in a Baltimore County 3A-4A league game.
The win keeps the Owls a game behind first-place Randallstown in the league race. The Owls, who lost by four to Randallstown earlier this year, will play host to the Rams on Friday.
"This is a good win for us, beating Woodlawn twice in the same season," said Dundalk coach Andy Pons. "We played them real tough last year and lost, but this year we finally got over the hump."
The two wins this season were the Owls' first over Woodlawn (12-5, 11-4) since the 1986-87 season.
"It feels good to come in here and play like this," said Dundalk senior Mario Smith, who had 16 points. "I think we've sent a message that we're going to play hard this year, and this was another step in our improvement."
After Woodlawn's Marc Bragg hit a three-pointer to tie the game at 32 with 4:43 left in the first half, Dundalk went on a 19-10 run to end the half leading 51-42. Danny Thorpe paced the Owls rally with six points.
The Warriors went to a full-court press to begin the second half, trying to slow the Owls.
Dundalk went on a 12-4 run to put the game away, taking a 63-46 lead with 4:24 left in the third quarter.
Both Smith and Thorpe say they think Dundalk should be ranked in The Baltimore Sun's Top 20, but feel that's a secondary motivation.
"I think the level of play in our league has something to do with [not being ranked]," said Smith, "but we need to just continue to improve."
Pons discounts the rankings altogether.
"We were ranked 18th at the start of the season, and we went to Joppatowne and lost," Pons said. "Since then, we've played well and are getting better. If we keep playing well, the rest of the off-the-court stuff will take care of itself."
Woodlawn coach Dan Hewins thought Dundalk's experience played a big part in the rout. Ten of Dundalk's 13 players are seniors.
"I thought they out-toughed us tonight," said Hewins. "We made some errors in our system, and they capitalized on them. They are a better team then we are right now, and their experience showed tonight."
Pons says the Owls will be ready Friday, but doesn't want to put any pressure on his team.
"Randallstown is just another ballgame for us," he said. "We are trying to gear up for the playoffs, so as long as we play hard, we'll be all right."