Bulldogs sweep 4A IEL
Kelsey Cessna fights for the ball against Moscow during the Bulldogs final 4A IEL conference game on Tuesday night.
(Photo courtesy JASON DUCHOW PHOTOGRAPHY)
When Sandpoint hosted Moscow for the Bulldogs' final IEL conference game Tuesday night, Kelsey Cessna scored 14 points for the Bulldogs to help them win 50-22.
“I’m glad we had Kelsey back tonight, she came out and led us in scoring,” Sandpoint coach Will Love said. “As a senior leader, that’s what she’s able to do."
The game started with Aliya Strock missing a pair of free throws before finding redemption with a three-pointer. Strock hit another three, had a steal, and straight to the basket for two, scoring nine of 11 total points in the first quarter.
Daylee Driggs was out with an ankle sprain from Battle for the Paddle.
“We’re hoping that Daylee will be back with us next week to help us out with whoever we play in the district championship series,” Love said.
The Bulldogs' defense was strong and held the Bears to zero points up until the final minute of the first.
Sandpoint led 17-2 at the end of the first quarter.
Moscow’s defense tightened up in the second quarter. It took Sandpoint a few minutes to find their groove again. Points came from K. Cessna, Peyton Cessna, and Lily Richardson.
“We didn’t shoot particularly well tonight but we just kept at it and our defense was really tough against Moscow,” Love said.
The Bulldogs were up 27-10 heading into halftime.
Richardson controlled and distributed the ball well throughout the game.
“We have some kids that are playing more minutes and stepping up,” Love said.
Alexa Tunistra was solid under the basket and had seven points for the Bulldogs.
“She did a really good job,” Love said. “Moscow is well coached and they really tried to get the ball inside and work out but we did a good job at disrupting them from getting the ball in."
Sandpoint kept their lead 42-17 at the end of the third quarter.
Not many shots dropped in the fourth quarter for either team.
“Even though the shots weren’t falling we did a really good job at giving ourselves opportunities,” Love said.
Final score, 50-22 Sandpoint.
The Bulldogs finish league 4-0 against the 4A IEL teams, 1-3 against the 5A IEL teams, and 5-3 overall.
The Bulldogs play Kellogg at home on Thursday, Feb. 2 at 7 p.m.
Sandpoint 17 10 15 8 — 50
Moscow 2 8 7 5 — 22
SANDPOINT — K. Cessna 14, D. Driggs 0, P. Cessna 2, Laybourne 1, Richardson 6, Tuinstra 7, Strock 11, Banks 9, Thaete 0.
MOSCOW — Knott 5, Kiblen 0, Parsons 6, Anderson 4, Thompson 0, McLuen 3, Leituala 2, Johns 2, Lassen 0, Becker 0.