Moses Lake basketball beats Pasco
The Chiefs Bryce Perez puts back a rebound for two of his 14 points against Pasco at Moses Lake High School Saturday.
The Moses Lake defense led by Cliff Phillips (21), Denis Ulyanchuk (31) and Jordan Chavez (24), came up big in the waning moments to hold off a determined Bulldog team Friday night on the Chiefs home court.
MOSES LAKE - Four players scored in double figures as the Chiefs got past Pasco in a nailer biter, 58-54 at home Friday night.
"It was an exciting game," coach John Hohman said. "It was good to get the win, but it was a little too close for comfort."
The Bulldogs went on a 5-0 run to start the ball game, but a 3-point shot by Moses Lake's Kevin Bennett ignited a 7-2 run by the Chiefs to take a 10-5 lead.
Sloppy ball handling and missed second shot opportunities by Moses Lake allowed Pasco to answer back with a 14-5 run to push the score to 19-15 at the end of the first period of play.
Bennett, picking up where he left off, drained another 3-pointer to start the second period. Scrappy defense and a 9-5 charge by Moses Lake saw the team tie the score 24-24 with two minutes left in the first half.
The Chiefs Bryce Perez knocked down the last four points of the second period to put Moses Lake up 28-24 at the break.
"I thought we did some nice things in the first half of play as opposed to Friday night against Hanford," Hohman said. "But we are still trying to figure out our strengths and weaknesses."
Back-to-back 3-pointers by Bennett and Cliff Phillips propelled Moses Lake to a double-digit lead, 34-24.
The Bulldogs got within eight on two free throws by Julian Figueroa, but Phillips tickled the net with another 3-point bomb that started a 9-6 run to give the Chiefs their biggest lead of the game, 45-30. A 5-2 Pasco spurt ended the third period with Moses Lake up 47-35.
The Bulldogs full court pressure defense, a rash of Chiefs fouls, and a couple of 3-point baskets held Moses Lake in check and allowed Pasco to get back in the game, 47-43 with five minutes left to play.
Phillips hit one of two free throws and a Perez layup gave Moses Lake a seven point lead, 50-43, with two and a half minutes to go.
But the Bulldogs, refusing to lie down, got within one, 55-54 with five second left on the clock.
Desperate to preserve time and get the ball back, Pasco fouled Phillips sending him to the charity for two shots. He made the first to put the Chiefs up 56-54, but missed the second shot. However, he grabbed his own rebound and was fouled again. This time, he made both and Moses Lake got the win, 58-54.
"It was really nice to see us toe the line and hit some clutch free throws," Hohman said. "We only have one returning starter from last year on the team so we're a bit young, but the guys are working hard, learning to play well together, and want to succeed."
Phillips led the way for Moses Lake with 16 points each. Perez added 14, Jordan Garcia chipped in 11 and Bennett finished with 10 points.
Moses Lake was at Hanford Friday, but the stats and game information was not available at press time.
The Chiefs travel to Hermiston Tuesday for a non-league match up.