Loggers come back to beat Wildcats
<p>Junior Erik Lauer fouled on his way to hoop, one for two from the line makes it 13-9 Loggers first quarter vs. Loyola Sacred Heart Jan. 9, 2016.</p>
The Libby Loggers came back from a 16-point halftime deficit against the Columbia Falls Wildcats Friday night to secure a hard-fought 60-58 win on the road.
The Loggers started off strong, pouring in 19 first-quarter points to C-Falls’ nine, but the ‘Cats were not ready to concede defeat. They stormed back in the second quarter, going on a 29-3 run to end the half with a solid lead.
“We knew going in that Columbia Falls was going to be tough at home,” said head coach Josh Bean. “We need to get off to a good start. We did get off to a good start in leading by 10 at the end of the first. We got into some foul trouble in the second quarter. They did a great job of attacking us and using our foul trouble against us. Going into halftime we were down 16 points, we lost our composure a little in the second quarter.”
During the third quarter the Loggers started the long comeback road, playing strong defense and slowly cutting into the lead. They started the fourth quarter down just eight and in a position to win.
The final stanza went back and forth until the scrappy Loggers went on a 10-1 run to erase the lead and claim the two-point victory.
“We knew we had to be mentally tough to come back and give ourselves a chance,” Bean said. “The boys did an amazing job coming out of halftime in getting defensive stops and converting on the other end. We cut the lead in half by the end of the third. We slowly whittled it down. Within the two minutes, Ryggs Johnston hit a three to bring us to within two. Jonny Cielak made five of six free throws down the stretch to give us the lead and extend our lead. We closed the game on a 10-1 run to win by two. It was a gutsy performance by our kids.”
The Loggers are next up at home against the Lions of Lincoln County High. Tip-off is Tuesday at 4:15 p.m.