Loggers fall in second straight game by buzzer beater 3

There were three buzzer-beating shots in Monday’s game between the host Libby Loggers and visiting Whitefish.

The last one proved to be a heartbreaker for the Loggers when Mason Kelch’s 3-pointer with two seconds left lifted the Bulldogs to a 56-55 win.

The Bulldogs had a buzzer beating 3 at the end of the first quarter to put them up 21-12, but Loggers guard Ryan Beagle beat the clock at the end of the third quarter to cut the deficit to nine points, 49-40.

In the fourth quarter, Libby rallied and Beagle nearly made the Loggers winners when he hit two free throws with 11 seconds left to give Libby a 55-53 lead. Beagle finished with 11 points.

But Kelch’s shot was the difference after Tyler Andersen’s three-quarter court heave fell short.

It was the second straight defeat by a buzzer-beating shot for the Loggers. Ronan’s Tayen Edmo hit a last-second 3 to beat Libby on Jan. 27. 

Kelch’s game-winning 3 was his sixth of the game and he tied Andersen for game-high scoring honors as each player tallied 25 points.

Cy Williams scored 11 for Libby while Tristan Andersen had nine points.

The Loggers remain winless in Northwest A at 0-7, not including last night’s game against Columbia Falls. Libby is 2-11 overall. The Loggers host Polson at 4:15 p.m. Saturday.

In the girls contest Monday in Whitefish, the Loggers rallied to force overtime before falling, 43-36. 

Libby trailed 25-19 after three quarters before a strong fourth quarter propelled them into the extra session.

Madison Vincent’s two free throws with 1:02 gave Libby a 34-32 lead, but Whitefish’s Camry Kelch hit a shot with 20 seconds left to force overtime.

Vincent led Libby with 15 points while Jossalyn White scored six. Kaydence Stanek added five points and Rachel Kosters scored four. 

The Loggers fell to 1-12 and 0-7 in Northwest A. Whitefish got its first league win while improving to 1-4 in Northwest A and 4-7 overall. 

Libby played at Columbia Falls Thursday and will host Polson at 5:45 p.m. Saturday.

    Libby's Cy Williams (32) and Alderic Martineau (24) play defense against Whitefish on Monday, Jan. 30. (Scott Shindledecker/The Western News)
  

    The fans had a good time at Libby's boys basketball game against Whitefish on Monday, Jan. 30. (Scott Shindledecker/The Western News)