Lions claim close game over La Salle

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Christian Academy/Covenant Christian School Lions returned to form Tuesday as they earned an 80-68 win over La Salle. The Lions remain at the top of the Central Washington B league as they head into the final stretch of the regular season. 

“We just pulled together as a team,” said Lions senior Dennis Gulenko. “When somebody’s down, you come together even stronger.” 

The game started close in the first quarter as the two teams traded the lead multiple times before La Salle took the lead 13-17. The Lions turned up the heat in the second quarter to post 22 points to claim the lead at 35-33 at the end of the half.

“On offense, we got a little stagnant, but then at halftime we kind of pulled it together,” said Dennis. 

In the third quarter, La Salle mounted a comeback to reclaim the lead 54-55, putting MLCA/CCS on edge as they headed into the final quarter. The Lions finished out the game on full throttle as they posted 26 points and held their opponent to 14 to take a 12-point lead and end the game 80-68. 

Johnny Ferguson was the top scorer on offense as he put up three three-pointers in his total of 23 points. Dennis and Max Gulenko followed close behind, with each scoring 22 points. Dennis played a major role in securing victory in the fourth quarter as he put up 12 points in that quarter. 

The Lions had a few key players missing from the roster during Tuesday’s matchup due to injury, which is where the team found some hiccups early on in the game, said Dennis. Despite this, the players all stepped up to fill in where they were needed. 

“We’re looking a little banged up, but after (healing) all these injuries, we’ll be the top team,” he said. 

These injuries have given multiple players extended time on the court, but Lions Head Coach Emerson Ferguson said that this is something he has been training the players to be ready for. The players came off the bench and were ready to make big plays in order to secure the victory. 

“Super proud of them,” said Ferguson. “We were confident coming into tonight; we just didn’t know where the big shots were going to come from.”  

In Monday’s away game against Liberty Christian, the Lions sustained their first loss of the season 45-51. The coach said it was important for the team to come into Tuesday’s matchup with a fresh mindset and ready to play a whole new game. 

Ferguson said MLCA/CCS showed grit against La Salle as they dug deep once they were down to find energy that they didn’t know they had, as the players made big plays for important offensive and defensive drives to earn the victory. As the final games of the regular season approach, the Lions will focus on maintaining that energy and working around their weaknesses. 

“Really, health, I think, is the most important thing during these next few days off. We’ve got to get these guys healthy,” he said. “I think that’s our number one priority and then just some of those things that we need to execute, we need to execute the foul line and then running our plays.” 

The Lions head on the road for their next matchup Tuesday evening to face Entiat at 7:30 p.m. 

BOX SCORE:  

MLCA: 13-22-19-26: 80 

LASL: 17-15-22-14: 68 

    Lions junior Max Gulenko breaks away from the crowd as he prepares to dunk the ball in the final seconds of the game.
  

    Johnny Ferguson, an MLCA/CCS senior, prepares to shoot a free throw during Tuesday’s victory over La Salle.
  

    MLCA/CCS junior Seth Johnson defends against La Salle as they look for an opening to make a shot.
  

    Treyson Kast, a junior with the Lions looks for an open shot during Tuesday’s game against La Salle.
  

    Lions freshman Roman Gulenko puts pressure on the net as he works to add two onto the score.