Johnson, Thomas combine to score 42 in losing effort

CRANBROOK, B.C. - Christina Johnson scored 23 points, and Jenny Thomas 19 as the Bulldog girls broke out offensively, but a basket with one second left was the difference as Sandpoint fell 74-72 on the road against Mt. Baker Monday night in Canada.

Down 14 points early in the 3rd quarter, the Bulldogs (0-4) seemed to relax a little, taking advantage of the international rules, longer quarters and 24 second shot clock to mount a comeback and give themselves a shot to win late.

With eight seconds left and the game tied at 72-72, Johnson drove to the basket and missed a shot, which her teammate Mackenzie Jones tried to save from going out of bounds, only to have Mt. Baker retrieve the ball and throw a full court pass for the game-winning lay-in at the buzzer.

"The girls showed a lot of character by coming back," said head coach Lance Bruce, whose team erupted for 46 points in the second half. "They kind of cut loose a little and didn't think as much."

Thomas added seven rebounds and five steals, Jesse Mead grabbed a team-high 11 rebounds and Alex Bucholtz, making her first start, helped create havoc defensively as the Bulldogs unveiled a full court press for the first time this season.

Sandpoint plays at Lewiston on Thursday.

Sandpoint   19   7   23   23 - 72

Mt. Baker   19   22  14   19 - 74

SANDPOINT - Christina Johnson 23, Adams 0, Chatburn 8, Mead 4, Bucholtz 2, Heer 2, Thomas 19, Jones 4, Roop 9.