Timberwolves topple Bulldogs in season opener

SANDPOINT — After struggling for offense in the first half, Lake City settled in and executed its offense to score 33 second half points in a 52-23 win over Sandpoint in a nonleague girls basketball season opener for both teams Saturday night at Les Rogers Court.

Bridget Rieken scored a game-high 17 points, Klaire Mitchell added 12 points and five assists, Sara Muehlsen eight rebounds, Keara Simpson eight points and three assists and Dejah Wilson six points and four steals for the Timberwolves, who led just 19-12 at half before blowing the game open in the third quarter.

First year coach James Anderson picked up his first victory for the Timberwolves (1-0), praising the play of his bench and point guard.

“We had eight fouls early in the game and the bench really stepped up,” said Anderson. “Even though she didn’t score, for Chloe Teets to manage that half court trap the way she did is off the charts.”

The Bulldogs (0-1) were plagued by the turnovers that often accompany season openers, especially against a state power like Lake City, which turned them into points.

Grace Kirscher, who signed a letter of intent this week to play at Eastern Washington, led the Bulldogs with six points and Dawson Driggs added four in defeat. The Bulldogs’ defense also created some turnovers, but the shots simply weren’t falling in the half court offense.

The Bulldogs are at Post Falls on Saturday.

Lake City 11 8 18 15 — 52

Sadnpoint 6 6 5 6 — 23

LAKE CITY — Avery 0, Barber 5, Mitchell 12, Teets 0, Reiken 17, Muehlsen 2, Hawkins 0, Wilson 6, Halliday 2, Simpson 8.

SANDPOINT — Bailey 3, Morgan 3, Driggs 4, Larson 0, Laybourne 0, Steiger 0, Kirscher 6, Edwards 3.