MLCA pulls away from Wilson Creek in the fourth quarter

EPHRATA — In an otherwise tightly contested game, Moses Lake Christian Academy used a dominant fourth quarter to pull away from Wilson Creek and keep its postseason hopes alive.

Trailing 36-35 after three quarters, MLCA outscored Wilson Creek 21-7 in the final eight minutes to win 56-43.

The win moved the Lions into the consolation final today, 6 p.m., at Ephrata High School.

The Lions used their front line of Ben Cabellero, Noah Roberts and Walter Meise to control the rebounds for second chance points to open up a 9-3 lead. However, an 9-0 run by the Devils flipped the lead to 12-9 in favor of Wilson Creek.

Despite lacking the size to contend for many offensive rebounds or inside looks, Wilson Creek stayed close using its outside shooting for the first three quarters.

A put-back by Meise gave MLCA a 13-12 lead at the end of one.

In the second quarter, Wilson Creek began to hit from the outside and regained a 20-19 lead after a three-pointer from Colten Crane.

Another three-pointer helped the Devils take a 23-19 lead into intermission.

But in the third quarter Cabellero took over for the Lions. The 6-foot-2 junior got several looks near the basket and poured in 12 of MLCA’s 16 points in the quarter.

Trailing by two points with time winding down in the third, Wilson Creek’s Colton Minoletti launched a three-pointer that splashed through the net as time expire, giving the Devils a 36-35 lead entering the final quarter.

Moses Lake Christian’s defense locked down to start the fourth, powering a 10-3 run.

A Cabellero put-back later in the quarter moved the Lions ahead by double digits, 52-41.

Behind his big third quarter, Cabellero led the way with 26 points. Meise and Roberts added eight and six points, respectively.

Moses Lake boys eliminated from postseason

YAKIMA — Moses Lake boys basketball was eliminated in the district semifinals by Davis 70-52.

Moses Lake struggled in the first half and fell behind by 17 points at the break, 38-21.

The Chiefs were only able to trim two points off of the Pirates’ lead in the third quarter and entered the fourth down 48-33.

Davis stretched its lead to 18 in the final period.

Davis plays Wenatchee for the district championship on Saturday.

College basketball

Big Bend men win at CBC

PASCO — Ryker Pierce scored a team-high 28 points and pulled down seven rebounds in Big Bend’s 86-81 win at Columbia Basin.

The five-point win kept Big Bend tied for first place in the NWAC East with Spokane.

Jai Jai Ely also had a big scoring night for the Runnin’ Vikes with 25 points to go with seven rebounds.

Mogga Lado added 13 points and seven rebounds.

Big Bend led 40-32 at halftime before Columbia Basin scored 49 points in the second half to close the margin.

Andrew Reddout led the Hawks with 32 points.