Loss to Bombers puts Chiefs in third

MOSES LAKE - It was plain and simple.

The Richland Bombers threw up any shot they could muster and basically couldn't miss.

On the other hand, the Moses Lake Chiefs put themselves in position for solid, fundamental, point-blank shots, and missed too many and enough to push them toward a pivotal defeat.

It all added to a 57-54 Richland win over the Chiefs at a packed Peter DeVries Activity Center at Big Bend Community College on Saturday night.

The game was moved to Big Bend due to the wrestling district tournament being held at MLHS that day.

But it may not have mattered what gym the Chiefs (15-5, 9-3) shot at as Richland found a way to survive a poor Moses Lake shooting display.

"I think I am going to count possessions where we missed lay-ins and I would guess it's 12 to 15," Moses Lake head coach Matt Strophy said. "Lay-ins and free throws killed us. I give Richland credit for being stronger. We were getting manhandled but there were some times we weren't even given any contact. But, we need to also learn to absorb contact. We have to get mentally and physically stronger."

Richland (16-2, 10-2) came out and took a 15-8 first quarter lead behind conventional shooting as the Chiefs' struggles at close range became apparent early.

The Bombers then built a 24-14 lead behind three three-pointers as Moses Lake still couldn't get untracked.

But, the Chiefs' defense tightened up, Richland started driving wantonly through the lane only to miss plenty of shots and Moses Lake was back in business, cutting the deficit to 26-24 at halftime.

"Our defensive gameplan was because they are quicker than us we had to switch everything," Strophy said. "Rarely do they penetrate and shoot it. They like to shoot in rhythm."

Well in the second half Richland's rhythm was grooving to Salsa because their offense, which broke down, on numerous occasions, would be bailed out by twisting, turning drives that would result in a converted flying layin or mini runner.

"The problem with that is that is what they do," Strophy said. "They basically have a couple of designed sets. Other than that they just look for a shot and they take it. They also are very good at attacking the offensive rebounds. They just play and that's hard to defend."

In the meantime, the Chiefs would get drive after drive by sophomore Kyleigh Gamez, who attacked the rim at will, or a Kayla Bernsen inside shot. Unfortunately it was more miss than hit despite the solid action that got the girls into scoring positions.

Jordan Loera also got plenty of clean looks outside and found her stroke in bunches to finish with 16 points.

In fact it was Loera's defense and the team's aggressiveness that propelled the Chiefs to a 47-44 lead midway through the fourth quarter when sophomore Courtney Kunjara hit a runner in the lane.

From there the well dried up and the Bombers went on a 10-point team to take a seven-point lead to pull out the win,

Bernsen finished with 21 points and 13 rebounds while Gamez added nine points.

Magie Munoz snared 12 rebounds for the third-seeded Chiefs who now host Davis on Friday night at 7 p.m. in district playoff loser out game. The winner travels to play second-seeded Richland on Saturday.

Only one team is assured a Super Regional spot out of the six-team Big 9 district tournament. The Super Regional begins on the last weekend of the month.

Another team could get through if they were to win a play-in game on Feb. 22 against the number two team out of the Greater Spokane League.

"If we take care of business Friday, we know we can beat Richland, we really do," Strophy said. "Even after the 10-point loss there where we missed 10 free throws. You have to finish inside and you have to finish at the free throw line. We did a great job of moving the ball and attacking their defense."

Moses Lake aims to make it four consecutive trips to the state finals in Tacoma.