Moses Lake hangs on against Eastmont

MOSES LAKE — In a game where Moses Lake struggled from the free throw line, it was fitting that the outcome was decided at the charity stripe.

Moses Lake made just four of eight attempts in the final minute, but Eastmont couldn’t capitalize. The extra four points were just enough, helping the Chiefs hang on 49-43.

All in all, it wasn’t the most aesthetically pleasing game as the Chiefs played on Tuesday for the first time in over a month. Both teams struggled form the field in the first half, clocking in below 40 percent.

Nursing a one-point halftime lead, Zack Phillips’ scoop layup in the third quarter pushed Moses Lake ahead 33-26. Moses Lake would hold multiple seven-point leads in the second half, its largest of the game.

Cesar Sandoval recorded a workmanlike 16 points. Phillips and Ricardo Gonzalez chipped in nine points each.

In the first quarter, Moses Lake jumped ahead 5-1 before Eastmont stormed back to tie the game 7-7. From that point, the lead fluctuated throughout the first half.

The Chiefs trailed by four points mid-way through the second quarter before Sandoval drew the game even again at 17-17. A quick 5-0 spurt by the Chiefs helped secure a 23-22 lead at the break.

Tied again at 23-23, Ryan Karstetter canned the first three-pointer of the game for Moses Lake. Sporting a brace on his left race, Karstetter left the game in the third quarter after an apparent right arm injury.

Isaiah Thomas pulled the Chiefs ahead 40-33 after a mid-range jump shot.

Moses Lake locked down at least a No. 3 seed into districts with the win and West Valley’s overtime loss to Davis.

Ephrata eliminated at Ellensburg

ELLENSBURG — A poor second quarter doomed Ephrata against Ellensburg.

Down just 13-10 after the first quarter, Ephrata was outscored 21-10 in the second. The visiting Tigers played the Bulldogs virtually even in the second half but succumbed to a 60-44 defeat in the first round of the district tournament.

MLCA’s playoff hopes dealt a blow

WILSON CREEK — Entering its game with Pateros last week, Moses Lake Christian Academy head coach Lonny Brown said he thought his team could sneak into the district playoffs with a win over the Billygoats that Friday followed by a win at Wilson Creek,

MLCA took care of the first part of the proposition but stumbled at Wilson Creek, losing 55-49