Moses Lake earns OT win

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Chiefs varsity boys basketball team hosted the Wildcats of Eastmont Saturday night in a nail-biting overtime contest.

After playing to a 64-64 tie at the end of regulation, the Chiefs rallied to knock off the Wildcats 73-70 in overtime.

The Eastmont boys jumped out to an early lead before the boys from Moses Lake could get anything going.

The Chiefs, led by senior Josh Loera, got the team back in the game with a balanced attack and hard work on the boards.

With the game tied 20-20, both teams dug deep to play a full court, running-style game. The tempo of the game called on all the stamina the Chiefs could muster as Moses Lake entered the half trailing by five points 28-23.

The Chiefs came out in the second half, ready to take on a determined Eastmont team.

Moses Lake head coach Rolland Hansen encouraged the full-court attack knowing his players could keep up the pace.

“Both teams looked in really good shape,” he said. “We were able to out-hustle them the second half. (It) was a good game to watch.”

This year’s Chiefs team is a mixture of returning seniors and junior varsity standouts. Hansen said his team is beginning to come together in practise.

“They have really shown improvement as a group,” he said. “(They) mesh well in practice.”

With both teams tied at the end of regulation, the Wildcats and the Chiefs headed to overtime. With the game on the line, the Chiefs out-played the Wildcats in overtime as Moses Lake earned the 73-70 victory.

Loera led Moses Lake with 33 points and finished the night nine of 17 from the field.

Justin Walker added 14 points and Isaac Bergeson scored six points in the victory.

The Chiefs travel to Coeur d'Alene Tuesday night to take on the Vikings.

Tip off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.