Chiefs downed by Saxons

Ferris 73, Moses Lake 40

SPOKANE — A dismal third quarter crushed any hope of a comeback for the Chiefs.

Moses Lake took on Ferris in regional play Tuesday night and struggled to find a rhythm against a Ferris team that is now 21-0.

"I thought we were a little tight in the first half but we regrouped and battled," said Moses Lake head coach Brant Mayo. "I was happy with our effort in the first half, keeping the score within 10."

The Chiefs allowed six unanswered points to open the third quarter and forcing Mayo to call a timeout with under six minutes to play in the period. Coming out of the timeout, Quinn Baker sank a layup to end the Moses Lake scoring drought and make it 36-21.

Moses Lake's next bucket came three minutes later when Ben Waites hit a long jumper and had it followed, with one minute remaining in the third, by a putback from Baker.

The Chiefs began the fourth quarter down 35 points.

Moses Lake was able to force two early Ferris turnovers but could not stop the Saxon's scoring. With under six minutes to play Seth Bruneel was able to stop an initial Ferris shot from falling, stopping the ball on the backboard, but a Ferris trailer grabbed the ricochet to earn a layup. The play was indicative of Moses Lake's whole night.

Cody Meeks scored the first hoop of the fourth quarter with under five minutes to play in the game. Meeks pulled up and drained a 3-ball, sparking a small scoring run by the Chiefs.

Meeks continued to pressure on offense hitting a long jumper, dishing to Ryan Carpenter for an off-the-glass layup and then earning a bank layup of his own.

Daunta Powell hit a 3 of his own during the game as well, with under two minutes to play in the game.

Bruneel earned Moses Lake's last field goal of the night, pulling up for an off-the-dribble jump shot.

"We just didn't show up in the second half," said Mayo. "Now we have no excuses. We have to win three in a row if we want to move on."

Ferris opened the game with a 7-0 scoring run and forced the Chiefs to play catch-up from there on out. Moses Lake responded with a 3-pointer by Jared Walker and a long jumper by Josh Loera in the first quarter. Walker ended the period with one more 3.

The Saxons were able to hold Moses Lake to just 9 points in the first period, while putting up 18 points of their own.

The Chiefs struck first in the second quarter on a layup by BJ Guerra. Moses Lake then allowed another 9-0 scoring drive by Ferris before Baker was able to get to the bucket on a layup underneath.

Baker followed his layup with a blocked shot on the defensive end that was turned into a steal and layup by Walker.

Both teams struggled through the last two minutes of the quarter, combining to commit five turnovers.

Baker and Loera earned the final two buckets of the half for the Chiefs.

Walker and Baker led the team with 8 points each. Baker added 6 boards and 6 blocked shots as well. Meeks put up 7 points for the Chiefs.

Friday Moses Lake defeated Walla Walla 57-48 on the road. Loera led the team with 16 points and 8 assists. Baker put up 15 points. Meeks grabbed eight rebounds.

Saturday the Chiefs lost 62-51 to Pasco. Loera led the team with 10 points and seven boards. Meeks earned 7 points, eight rebounds and three blocked shots.

Moses Lake's next game will be played at 9 p.m. Friday in the Toyota Center in the Tri-Cities.