Perfection continues

Moses Lake defeats Walla Walla, Kamiakin

MOSES LAKE — The Chiefs survived a second quarter slump to down the Lady Blue Devils 42-31 Friday.

In a tight game, it was a second half push that propelled Moses Lake past Walla Walla. That push began with a layup by Carly Noyes at the beginning of the third quarter and gave Moses Lake a 19-16 lead.

It was nearly two minutes before either team scored again. It was Noyes finding sister Ann Noyes for a layup that broke the scoring drought. Noyes earned the bucket and drew the foul but could not complete the 3-point play.

"Ann and Carly played well for us tonight," said Moses Lake head coach Matt Strophy. "I'm proud of how the girls battled and gained momentum in third quarter and then held them (Walla Walla) off in the fourth quarter."

Then it was Walla Walla's turn to put some points on the board; taking advantage of two Moses Lake turnovers the Lady Blue Devils were able to take a 1-point lead after earning a 3-ball and a layup. With under five minutes remaining in the period, Walla Walla pulled ahead 22-21.

Carly Noyes regained the lead for the Chiefs with a layup but it was a short-lived lead, with the Lady Blue Devils answering on their next possession. Carly Noyes continued to battle tough for Moses Lake, drawing a foul to give the Chiefs lead from the free-throw line and then extending the lead with a putback on Moses Lake's next offensive possession.

The Chiefs continued to pressure Walla Walla with Marielle McKean taking it to the hoop for a basket and drawing the foul. McKean missed the and-1 opportunity but had the missed shot rebounded by a teammate and earned a layup to make it 31-24.

Both teams finished the final minutes of the third quarter with fouls and turnovers. Moses Lake came out on top with a baby hook from Ann Noyes and a 2-for-2 stint at the line by Kelly Sutherland who was fouled at the buzzer.

An early fourth quarter foul sent Carly Noyes to the line for a 2-for-2 trip and gave the Chiefs a 10-point lead.

Brin Bergeson earned two assists late in the game, the first dish going to Carly Noyes and the second to Ann Noyes to give Moses Lake a 42-30 lead.

Foul trouble late in the first quarter and early in second saw Moses Lake's starters bench for much of the second quarter and gave the second team the opportunity to shine.

Ann Noyes gave the Chiefs a 2-point lead after hitting a 3-ball from the top of the arc with four minutes left in the half. Two minutes later Ann Noyes connected with Ashley McKean for a baby jumper to give Moses Lake a 15-12 lead.

"Ann, Lorin (Montgomery), Ashley and Vanessa played really well in the second quarter — they kept us in the game with Carly on the bench for almost 10 minutes," said Strophy. "Ann draining that three was huge. All our posts have to shoot them in practice but they don't usually take them in a game."

A drive by Vannessa Brischle sent Moses Lake into the locker room with a 1-point lead.

Carly Noyes led Friday night's effort with 14 points. Ann Noyes added 11 points to the Moses Lake scoreboard. Marielle McKean rounded out the Chiefs' stats with 7 points.

Saturday Moses Lake squeezed past Kamiakin 58-57.

"Kamiakin is a solid team," said Strophy. "They're a top three team in the 3A portion of the CBL."

With one minute to go the Chiefs found themselves looking at their first potential loss when Carly Noyes came up with a big bucket in the key to give Moses Lake a 2-point lead. Bergeson added to it with two freethrows with 25 seconds left.

Kamiakin hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer but it was not enough to for the win.

"It was good for the girls," said Strophy. "It's nice to play well enough to win."

Carly Noyes earned 21 points and 8 boards. Ann Noyes put up 11 points and grabbed 8 rebounds. Bergeson had 4 steals for Moses Lake.