Bulldogs fall to Hawks in 4A IEL opener

SANDPOINT — Kaden Davis scored a game-high 20 points on 9 of 13 shooting, as Lakeland started strong then held on for a 49-45 win over Sandpoint in a 4A Inland Empire League opener Tuesday night at Les Rogers Court. 

The Hawks (3-7, 2-0 4A IEL) started the game strong, riding a 12-0 first half run to a 35-23 halftime lead, but Sandpoint adjusted and held them to just 14 second half points.

Andrew Knight tallied four points, seven rounds, five assists and two steals, and Forest Zubaly added seven points and two blocks for the Hawks, who saw their lead cut to just one point in the final minute.

“Sandpoint picked up the pressure in the second half and we were just out of sync,” said Lakeland coach Dave Stockwell. “I’m pleased with the way we rebounded, Sandpoint was a lot bigger. We got contributions from a lot of guys.”

Davan Norris drained four 3-pointers and scored 14 of his team-high 16 points in the first half, and Carlos Collado scored the bulk of his 13 points in the second half, as the Bulldogs (2-9, 0-1 4A IEL) chipped away at the lead. Robbie Johnson had seven rebounds, and Paul Sundquist four boards and five assists in defeat.

Matthew Curtiss had a steal, threw in a behind-the-back dribble, then finished with his left hand to cut the lead to three, then Collado sank a pair of free throws to cut the lead to 46-45, but the Hawks were able to put things away. The Bulldogs outscored the Hawks 22-14 in the second half, ratcheting up the defense to keep the game close.

“In the first half, Lakeland was 13 for 17. They ran their offense well, and shot well, but we weren’t digging in and playing great defense,” said Bulldogs head coach Kent Leiss. “We came out in the second half and we were a brand new team, held them to 11 points until the final minute. We have too many unforced turnovers. We had two chances to steal that, even with the 20 turnovers.”

Sandpoint is at Timberlake on Tuesday.

Lakeland 13 22 6 8 — 49

Sandpoint 11 12 10 12 — 45

LAKELAND — Brueher 0, McDaniel 3, D. Knight 5, Vahey 2, McDevitt 6, Zubaly 7, A. Knight 4, Ray 2.

SANDPOINT — Curtiss 7, Reeves 0, Norris 16, Sundquist 1, Johnson 4, Perry 4, Collado 13, McLaughlin 0.