Sandpoint falls to Lewiston, drops to 0-6 in IEL play
Junior Ethan Butler fights through contact and attempts a shot during the fourth quarter of Saturday's game.
(Photo by DYLAN GREENE)
Senior Darren Bailey elevates for a jumper during the second half of Saturday's game.
(Photo by DYLAN GREENE)
Sophomore Colin Roos pulls up for a jumper on Saturday.
(Photo by DYLAN GREENE)
Darren Bailey (11) fights for a rebound on Saturday.
(Photo by DYLAN GREENE)
Ethan Butler converts a layup during the first half of Saturday's game.
(Photo by DYLAN GREENE)
Freshman Max Frank (right) elevates for a shot on Saturday.
(Photo by DYLAN GREENE)
Sophomore Parker Pettit attacks the paint on Saturday.
(Photo by DYLAN GREENE)
Darren Bailey attempts a shot over a Lewiston defender on Saturday.
(Photo by DYLAN GREENE)
Max Frank gets low in the post and looks to make a move.
(Photo by DYLAN GREENE)
Sophomore Rusty Lee looks to attack on Saturday.
(Photo by DYLAN GREENE)
Sophomore Arie VanDenBerg attempts to knock down a shot over a Lewiston defender on Saturday.
SANDPOINT — For the second straight game Saturday, Sandpoint boys basketball stuck with a 5A Inland Empire League foe for three quarters.
But just like Thursday against Coeur d'Alene, the Bulldogs struggled in the fourth quarter and allowed Lewiston to capture a 59-46 victory.
The Bengals outscored SHS 17-9 in the fourth quarter after leading by just five entering the final frame.
"Again it comes down to getting good at playing in close games and competing for four quarters," interim head coach Mike Roos said. "We competed for three quarters and two minutes, and then we kind of just went rogue out there for a while and kind of had some guys trying to do their own thing at times and not stay within the offense. But that's part of learning a new offense and they are having to adjust to dealing with pressure in games."
The Bulldogs stayed within striking distance, but trailed the entire first half. Then in the second half, Sandpoint flipped a switch and found some rhythm on the offensive end. Just over a minute and a half into the third quarter, Colin Roos converted a basket to give the Bulldogs their first lead of the game at 27-26.
The two teams traded the lead a few more times before the Bengals went on a 6-2 run to close the quarter and Lewiston rode that momentum the rest of the way.
Sandpoint remains winless through six games in IEL play.
Ethan Butler led the Bulldogs with 10 points, Darren Bailey added nine and Colin Roos tallied seven points, five rebounds and two assists.
In the second half against Lewiston, the Bulldogs saw sophomore Arie VanDenBerg break out of his recent shooting slump. He knocked down a trio of 3-pointers and Mike Roos said it was great to see.
"I told Arie it's in between the ears and the shooting is going to come around and he did get his shot going tonight," Mike Roos said. "That's part of the game and guys go through that from time to time and we have him back on track."
Despite back-to-back losses, Mike Roos said he has seen a lot of improvement from his squad and he loves the tempo they are playing with.
"We're slowly putting it together," he said. "A lot of people watching they probably don't see it, but every game we get better at one thing and at some point ... we're going to put all these puzzle pieces together and put together four quarters of good offense and good defense."
The Bulldogs (4-8, 0-6 IEL) play Lakeland at 7 p.m. Thursday at Les Rogers Court.
Lewiston 14 10 18 17 — 59
Sandpoint 10 10 17 9 — 46
LEWISTON — Eke 2, McKarcher 9, Lang 15, Mullikin 10, Hottinger 3, Hepburn 3, Forsman 1, White 0, Goeckner 0, Forsmann 16.
SANDPOINT — Roos 7, Pettit 3, Frank 4, R. Lee 0, VanDenBerg 9, Bailey 9, Cessna 2, Banks 2, Butler 10.
