Vikings stop Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake girls basketball team couldn’t rally from an 11-point deficit in the fourth quarter as the Coeur d’Alene Vikings knocked of the Chiefs 64-53 Tuesday night.

The Chiefs got off to a fast start against the Vikings as Moses Lake ran out to a 8-4 lead after four minutes of play. The Vikings rallied to close out the quarter with a 9-2 run to take a 13-10 lead over the Chiefs.

Moses Lake fell behind 17-10 in the second quarter before the Chiefs went on an 8-0 run to take a 18-17 lead over the defending Idaho state champions at Moses Lake High School.

Moses Lake head coach Matt Strophy said his team played well at moments   against Coeur d’Alene.

“We did some really good things out there,” he said. “At the same times the things we thought we did well, we forced.”

The Vikings again rallied to take the lead from the Chiefs as Coeur d’Alene built a 33-25 halftime lead over Moses Lake.

Coeur d’Alene continued to distance themselves in the third quarter to take a 49-38 lead into the game’s final period.

The Vikings began play in Idaho on Nov. 18 and Moses Lake’s first game was Dec. 5.

Coeur d’Alene was quicker than Moses Lake Tuesday night, Strophy said.

“They (were) incredibly fast,” he said. “They were in game-shape and we still aren’t there yet.”

Strophy said his team needs to improve its transition defense.

“Our transition defense is something that needs to get worked on,” he said. “As we get in better shape that will happen for us. The more we focus on it the better shape we will be in.”

With the home crowd fired up, the Chiefs rallied, cutting the Coeur d’Alene lead to only four points at 57-53 with 3:16 left in the contest.

This was as close as the Chiefs would get as the Vikings kept Moses Lake off of the scoreboard the rest of the way as Idaho’s top ranked team knocked off the Chiefs 64-53.

The Chiefs got in foul trouble Tuesday night and Strophy said he knew it would be a problem.

 “We got in foul trouble,” he said. “ “If we get in foul trouble, (Coeur d'Alene) can dominate.”

With the loss Moses Lake fell to 3-1 and Strophy said he is going to use the experience to help his team improve throughout the season.

“We put this schedule together for a reason,” he said. “Our goal was never to go 28-0. Our goal was to be competitive in every game and get ourselves prepared for the games that matter — our league, our district, our regional and when we get to state.”

Moses Lake senior Carly Noyes led the way for the Chiefs with 19 points and six rebounds.

Noyes also had four assists.

Sophomore guard Jordan Loera added 14 points and senior Shelby Kenner had eight points for the Chiefs.

Senior Kelly Sutherland led Moses Lake with six assists and also added nine points in the loss.

The Chiefs return to the court Friday night when they host Eisenhower at Moses Lake High School.

The opening tip is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.