Moscow lob foils upset bid by Sandpoint
(Photo by JASON DUCHOW PHOTOGRAPHY) Sandpoint senior Robbie Johnson drives to the rim with his off-hand for two of his 13 points in a tough loss to Moscow.
SANDPOINT — The host Bulldogs did everything they could to pull out a big win, but a brilliantly-designed lob play out of a time out in the final seconds led the Bears to a hard-earned 43-42 win over the Bulldogs in 4A Inland Empire League basketball Saturday night at Les Rogers Court.
After getting blown out in the first meeting, the Bulldogs (6-12, 0-3 4A IEL) slowed the tempo, ratcheted up the defense and owned most of the second half, nearly handing the Bears (8-10, 4-0 4A IEL) their first league loss. Robbie Johnson, T.J. Davis and Damian Dalthorp were honored before the tip on Senior Night.
Moscow trailed 42-41 when they called timeout with 19 seconds left. The guard then dribbled out high for about 10 seconds and drew the defense out, before Gabe Quinnett spun and caught a back-door lob to score a layup at the rim with six seconds remaining. The Bulldogs attempted to get a shot at the other end but the ball was stolen, earning the Bears home court advantage throughout the district tournament.
Johnson and Alex Stockton combined for 25 points for the Bulldogs, who trailed 33-29 to start the fourth quarter before a Johnson 3-point play and a Davis 3-pointer keyed an 8-0 run for a short lived 40-36 lead. Moscow built the lead back to one in the final minute before Sandpoint sophomore Bart Casey scored his second fourth quarter bucket to reclaim the lead with 20 seconds left.
Quinnett, whose step-father Brian Quinnett played for the Knicks and Mavericks in the NBA and is currently an assistant for the Bears, led his team with 13 points in the low-scoring affair, none bigger than the final two.
Sandpoint is at Lake City on Wednesday.
Moscow 11 11 11 10 — 43
Sandpoint 8 8 13 13 — 42
MOSCOW — Stephens 5, Broenneke 6, Johnson 0, Makamson 0, Quinnett 13, Rauch-Edwards 6, Postell 10, Kitchel 3.
SANDPOINT — Vernon 0, Dalthorp 0, Niemela 2, Davis 8, Johnson 13, Casey 4, Stockton 12.