Mavs defeat Eisenhower in Big 9 tourney
MOSES LAKE — The Mavericks opened the Columbia Basin Big 9 district tournament with a 39-32 win over Eisenhower Tuesday night, holding the Cadets to just two points in the fourth quarter.
Moses Lake Head Coach Matt Strophy said the win came down to “sheer determination.”
“When we got in the locker room for winning the first game in the district tournament, the girls were somber — there was not the excitement, because I think they knew they didn’t play well,” Strophy said. “So, we had to remind them at this point of the season, winning ugly is better than losing pretty.”
After surrendering 16 points in the first quarter, including three three-pointers, the Mavericks adjusted their defense in hopes of forcing Cadet turnovers.
“They found their shooters, and in the first quarter they knocked down threes,” Strophy said. “... We just had to crawl back in it. I ended up putting on a press, which is not necessarily our identity, but we had to get something going.”
The defensive intensity helped to hold Eisenhower to just five second-quarter points, while Moses Lake rallied to take a 31-30 lead entering the game’s final eight minutes.
“We got a little bit of excitement going, and we ended up taking a one-point lead going (the third quarter) — just because we started playing better defense,” Strophy said. “That, really, was the key.”
The Cadets were limited to just two points in the fourth quarter, allowing Moses Lake to advance to the next round in the Big 9 district tournament with a 39-32 win. Junior Madison Bond led the Mavs with 24 points, connecting on four three-pointers in the win.
“We were able to do enough on the offensive end, but it was more on the defensive end and a little more intensity,” Strophy said. “A little more communication, because I think that’s going to be key for us moving forward; that’s what allows us to overcome when we have some issues like shots not falling.”
Three days before Tuesday’s win, Moses Lake took down Eastmont in a 45-42 home win Saturday; the Wildcats finished the regular season with a 15-5 record, and will play Davis in the Big 9 district championship game Friday.
Moses Lake lost its earlier matchup against Eastmont in the regular season, a 40-38 road loss Jan. 13.
“Our game plan against Eastmont did not change,” Strophy said. “We were able to do the things that we did when we lost by two up there, and we just made a few more shots. That was the difference.”
The Mavericks travel to play West Valley (Yakima) on Friday, with the winner advancing to play the loser between Davis and Eastmont for a ticket to the 4A Girls State Basketball Tournament. Moses Lake lost both outings against the Rams during the regular season, the first being a 43-34 loss Jan. 6 and the second coming in a 58-50 overtime loss Feb. 2.
“If we take care of the ball and don’t give them extra positions, we could possibly have a mediocre shooting night and come out with a win,” Strophy said. “If our defense is dialed in and keeps us hanging around, and our offense takes care of the ball — we knock down some lay-ins and free throws — I think they’re more scared of us than we are of them.”
Ian Bivona may be reached at ibivona@columbiabasinherald.com.
Box score
IKE: 16-5-9-2 32
ML: 10-8-13-8 39
Moses Lake junior Kaiya Char dribbles the ball during a Dec. 12 game against Pasco.