MIssion good in SKC gym

PABLO — The Mission boys and girls both have a weekend to be content with; they each had one game to make a statement, and the bark of the Bulldogs could be heard loud and clear across the valley as they hosted Eureka at the Salish Kootenai College in Pablo.

Perhaps the most exciting game of the season so far finished in the Mission girls’ favor, rebounding from a loss to Charlo last week to down Eureka in the final seconds of the game.

It went like this:

After Eureka gained a slight upper hand early, Mission battled back to win the second period and take the lead at half. The third quarter was even, with Mission scoring just a point more than Eureka. Finally it came down to the wire.

Mission was up just one with three seconds left, and none other than do-it-all Mission senior Mattea Grant found herself at the free throw line.

She made her first, the fans held their collective breath, and watched as the second shot found its mark as well. Mission was up three.

Eureka went for the three with just four seconds remaining. It didn’t go, and Mission let them have the put-back for two, and celebrated a victory to remember.

Mission won 34-33. Mattea finished the game with 12, sophomore Kyla Mitchell had six, sophomore Jonna Grant and junior Rachel Jensen had four each. 

The Mission boys didn’t come away with the win, but found a turning point in a tough season in their 49-24 loss to Eureka. Armed with a couple newcomers in senior Nakota McDonald and freshman PJ Cutfinger, the Bulldogs battled for a 12-10 lead at half, putting together some of their best basketball of the season so far.

A lop-sided third quarter favoring Eureka was the downfall of the Bulldogs, but head coach James Lozeau said the game gave his team some confidence.

He said he always had faith, but the contributions from the new additions have given his team something to work with.

“I have confidence in these kids now that the other two are back,” he said. “They bring some fire. They’ve been out half the season and they want to play.”

Usual Bulldog star senior Jorren Gies led with eight points and Cutfinger added six.

Lozeau looks to make a dent in the competition with three remaining conference games to give his team a chance at post-season success.

Both teams play at Troy on Friday and Bigfork on Saturday.

The boys play at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and 6 p.m. on Saturday.

The girls play at 4:30 both nights.