Michael Byers posts double-double, late free throws sink Moses Lake against U-Hi

MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake flew around the court to start the fourth quarter, forcing turnovers and — mercifully — knocking down shots from distance.

A 9-0 run trimmed University’s lead to four points, 55-51, and Moses Lake closed to within two points after a Cory Kunjara 3-pointer with less than nine seconds to play. Forced to foul, the comeback bid fell just short as guard Logan Phillips swished a pair of free throws to give University the win 68-64.

“We would’ve liked to get the win, but we competed well,” Moses Lake senior Michael Byers said.

Byers scored six of his game-high 22 points in the first quarter as the Chiefs gritted their way to an 11-10 lead after eight minutes.

“Just great feed ins from my teammates,” Byers said of his scoring night. “They got me in the low post and all I had to do was finish. They did all the hard stuff. I just put it in the hoop.”

University began to show off its quickness and 3-point prowess during the second and third quarter.

Titans ball-handlers began to consistently beat the Chiefs’ perimeter defense, which left open shooters in the corner. Logan Dreher score 10 points in the second quarter and University erupted for 26 points in total to take a 36-31 lead at halftime.

University continued to bury 3-pointers in the third quarter, finishing 8-of-19 for the game. The Titans built a 14-point lead near the end of the third quarter before the Chiefs’ fourth-quarter run to close the gap.

“These guys will never quit, I know that for a face. They’re smart kids,” head coach John Hohman said. “Their basketball IQ is relatively high and it’s just nice to have a group like that.

“I think that some of our guys didn’t come to play tonight and I was real disappointed in that.”

After the margin narrowed, Moses Lake and University exchanged blows over the final minute.

Evan McLean scored all six of his points form the free throw line, none more crucial than a 2-of-2 trip with under 20 seconds to play to make it a one-possession game, 64-61. Phillips answered with two more free throws and Kunjara drilled a 3-pointer to trim the margin to two points. However, Phillips sealed University’s win with two more points at the charity stripe and Moses Lake’s inconsequential last-second heave flew over the backboard.