Bombers shot in closing seconds fells Chiefs

MOSES LAKE — Richland squeaked by with a 55-54 win against Moses Lake Saturday night.

Bombers guard Sean Winston stole a pass, dashed from mid-court and broke a tied game with a winning layup in the closing seconds at Big Bend Community College.

The Chiefs missed an opportunity to tie the score at 55 points with 1.2 seconds left when guard Josh Loera failed to convert his second foul shot. BJ Guerra rebounded the missed free throw, but couldn't make a short jumper.

Until Winston's final bucket, Moses Lake commanded the lead in the game, often by as many as 10 points. The Bombers trailed 44-35 to start the

fourth period.

The Bombers were able to bounce back with 20 points in the final period versus the Chiefs' 10 points.

Both teams played sloppy games, turning the ball over, shooting air balls and missing easy lay ups. Each held the other to less than 10

points in the first period.

Playing at Big Bend "took us out of our routine," head coach Brant Mayo said. "It was a different atmosphere playing at the college tonight."

He said they turned the ball over too often and didn't secure important rebounds. Richland also benefited with 18 points off turnovers for the game. Moses Lake scored seven points off turnovers.

Mayo praised the Bombers' agile players for some of the mistakes.

"That's a great defensive team we played tonight," he said.

Guard Sam Cartmell led the Bombers with 28 points, but made only 8-of-27 field goals. It helped that he made 11-of-16 free throws. The team

suffered with a paltry 1-of-16 3-pointers.

Guerra scored 13 points for Moses Lake and chipped in with seven rebounds. Quinn Baker added 12 points and five rebounds.

The Bombers' (12-6) come-from-behind win avenged a last-second loss to Moses Lake at home in January. In that game, Baker scored 25 points for the Chiefs, including a last second shot to clinch the 79-77 win.

Saturday's loss dropped Moses Lake to 9-9, but not out of contention for postseason play.

Moses Lake plays at Wenatchee Tuesday night.