Post Falls tops Sandpoint 65-61

SANDPOINT — A 3-pointer at the buzzer by senior Scott Stockwell broke the tie and edged Post Falls past Sandpoint in a 65-62 Inland Empire League victory at Les Rogers Court Tuesday.

Scoring three from behind the arc in the opening period, Stockwell helped set the pace that resulted in a 30-24 lead at the break. Stockwell finished the game with 22 points, five assists and three steals.

"It was one of those deals where we had the ball last. I think that if they had the ball last they would have probably won the game," said Post Falls coach Dave Stockwell.

A push late in the second half pulled the Bulldogs within striking distance and, with just 32 seconds left, senior Blake Mahler drilled a 3-pointer to tie the game at 62-62. Post Falls then took the clock down to 15, got the ball to Stockwell, who sank the winning shot.

"They were defending him pretty good, but when it left his hand I knew it was in," said Stockwell. "Now if we made the free throws we wouldn't have had to worry about it, but it was a great spectator game."

Senior Ben Mitchell led the Bulldogs with 22 points, 15 rebounds, three assists and two steals. Senior Anthony Sorentino finished with 13 points, while senior Chris Hepperly added 10 points.

"Ben was a warrior tonight and I truly believe that if he had the ball in his hands he would have scored, but it just worked out that Stockwell had it last," said Sandpoint coach Tyler Haynes. "And it is not just Ben, everyone played really well tonight. Andrew Meaux came up from the junior varsity and scored six.

"Now we are just excited to get Moscow."

The Bulldogs (1-3, 6-6) travel to face the Bears in Moscow on Friday.

Post Falls 17 13 23 12 — 65

Sandpoint 12 12 20 18 — 62

POST FALLS — Stockwell 22, Billetz 14, Hamilton 6, Haas 13, Turpin 8. Nordmeyer 2.

SANDPOINT — Mitchell 22, A. Meaux 6, Shultz 2, Sorentino 13, Mahler 9, Hepperly 10.