Comeback attempt falls short for Bulldog girls

SPOKANE — The Bulldogs erased an 11-point fourth quarter deficit to take the lead in the final minute, but gave up a deciding 3-pointer in the final seconds to fall 47-45 to Great Northern League foe Pullman on Wednesday at the Eagle Holiday Classic at West Valley High School.

Grace Kirscher keyed the furious comeback with 10 of her game-high 20 points coming in the final quarter, with Grace Hicks adding a pair of buckets for the Bulldogs (4-8), who fought back to trail 44-42 in the final minute. Trinity Golder, who hit double figures for the eighth straight game with 11 points, drained a 3-pointer to give the Bulldogs a 45-44 lead with 30 seconds left.

Unfortunately, Pullman (3-6) had an answer as Carolena Sears sank the game-winner with four seconds left to thwart a terrific comeback by the spirited Bulldogs.

“We forced turnovers throughout the game, but we couldn’t always capitalize offensively, especially in the first half,” lamented Bulldogs assistant coach Will Love. “The girls worked hard but the missed shots, and not focusing on rebounding for 32 minutes, came back to bite us. The girls’ resilience to fight back down 11 was impressive and we are getting closer to putting together a complete game.”

Hicks finished with seven points, and Audrey Mattila added four in the loss, as the Bulldogs once again struggled in the opening quarter.

Sandpoint wraps up the three-day tournament today against Lake Roosevelt High School, with tipoff slated for noon at West Valley.

Sandpoint 6 11 11 17 — 45

Pullman 12 11 15 9 — 47

SANDPOINT — Mattila 4, Tomazich 0, Darling 1, Kaul 0, Ward 0, Laybourne 2, Golder 11, Hicks 7, Kirscher 20.

PULLMAN — Teevens 2, Sanders 2, Druffel 9, Hansen 2, Nestegard 17, Reyes 2, Sears 2, Clear 11.