Bulldogs knock down clutch free throws to down Lewiston, pickup first win

LEWISTON — Saturday's game came down to free throws, and the Bulldogs were clutch.

Senior captain Kaylee Banks knocked down seven free throws in the final minute to push Sandpoint girls basketball to a 43-38 win over Lewiston in Inland Empire League action.

Head coach Will Love said his team made some mistakes, but they came up big when it mattered most.

"They gutted one out and I think that speaks a lot to the character of this group," he said.

Just over two minutes into the fourth quarter, the Bengals grabbed their first lead since early in the first quarter at 29-27.

Lewiston widened its advantage to 5 points midway through the quarter, but the Bulldogs didn't waver and fought back to close the deficit to 35-33 with just under two minutes left in the game.

Senior captain Hattie Larson drove to the basket with 1:30 left in the game, got fouled and banked in a shot to tie the game at 35-35. She went to the line and knocked down the free throw to give Sandpoint a 36-35 lead.

The Bengals turned the ball over a handful of times down the stretch and Banks made her free throws to secure the Bulldogs' first victory of the season.

"It's something the girls have been working really hard for since we started the season," Love said about the first win. "To come down to Lewiston and get a win, that doesn't happen very often. In all my time coaching boys and girls, I've never been a part of a team that has won down here, so I'm just really happy for the girls because they're the ones that have really put in a lot of hard work."

Banks finished with 16 points and three steals. Banks knocked down a pair of 3-pointers in the game and 10 free throws.

"She's a gamer," Love said about Banks, "and when the game is on the line at the end, we feel very comfortable with her out there because she's done this before for us at the end."

Larson had 12 points and six rebounds, Kelsey Cessna tallied 6 points and five steals, and Bella Phillips and Karlie Banks each scored 4 points.

The Sandpoint defense was strong, forcing 26 turnovers in the game.

The Bulldogs (1-3, 1-1 IEL) return home to face Kellogg at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at Les Rogers Court.

Sandpoint 11 9 7 16 — 43

Lewiston 7 9 9 13 — 38

SANDPOINT — K. Cessna 6, Driggs 1, Lyons 0, R. Cessna 0, Phillips 4, Kar. Banks 4, Larson 12, Platte 0, Kay. Banks 16.

LEWISTON — Collins 3, U'Ren 0, Foss 12, Hill 1, Bursch 0. Barney 7, Ortiz 4, McRoberts 2, Taylor 8.