Sandpoint knocks off No. 2 Moscow 53-46

SANDPOINT — Scoring 13 points apiece, seniors Blake Mahler and Chris Hepperly led No. 3 seed Sandpoint to a 53-46 victory over No. 2 Moscow in the 4A Region I boys basketball tournament opener Tuesday night.

The Bears did managed to shutdown Sandpoint senior Ben Mitchell to just four points in the first half, however huge 3-pointers by Mahler (2), Hepperly and senior Anthony Sorentino boosted the Bulldog lead to 15 points midway through the second period.

Led by junior Brad Herrenbruck and senior Jake LeFors, in a last minute push before the half, Moscow cut Sandpoint's margin just eight points.

After the break, the Bulldogs continued to control a comfortable lead despite a few short-lived attempts by Moscow to lessen the gap.

With the victory, Sandpoint will now travel to Post Falls to play the No. 1 seed Trojans on Friday, while Moscow plays host to No. 4 Lakeland.

The Bears were led by Herrenbruck's game-high 16 points and LeFors finished with 12 points.

Sandpoint 16 17 10 10 — 53

Moscow 10 15 7 14 — 46

SANDPOINT — Mitchell 10, Mahler 13, Hepperly 13, Brewer 8, Lowther 2, DiBenedetto 2, Sorentino 3.

MOSCOW — Mosman 3, Button 3, Roberts 3, LeFors 12, Herrenbruck 16, Wimer 9.