SUNNYSIDE, Wash. — The Chiefs led early and the Grizzlies led late before Moses Lake senior Josh Loera’s basket with five seconds left gave the Chiefs the 58-56 Columbia Basin Big Nine victory over Sunnyside Saturday night.

The Chiefs ran out to a 25-13 first quarter lead before the Sunnyside Grizzlies clawed their way back in the second quarter.

A smothering Sunnyside defense kept the Chiefs off balance in the second quarter and the Grizzlies overcame the early deficit to take a 33-32 into the half.

Sunnyside tried to pull away from Moses Lake in the third quarter, but both defenses stepped up. Neither the Chiefs nor the Grizzlies reached double digits in the third quarter.

Despite strong defensive play from the Chiefs, the Grizzlies took a 42-38 lead heading into the game’s final  minutes.

With the Chiefs trailing in the fourth quarter, senior Isaac Bergeson and Loera stepped up to lead Moses Lake to victory.

Bergeson led all scorers with 30 points and with the game tied at 56-56 Loera hit a runner with five seconds remaining to put the Chiefs ahead 58-56 for good.

The Grizzlies inbounded the ball and Israel Manzo’s 3-point attempt at the buzzer didn’t fall and Moses Lake held on for the victory.

Central Washington Athletic Conference

Boys Basketball

Othello 59, Prosser 43

OTHELLO — The Mustangs ran out to a 16-14 lead in the first quarter before Sam Harris and the Huskies poured it on late as Othello dominated visiting Prosser 59-43 Saturday night to earn the Central Washington Athletic Conference victory.

Harris led the Othello offense with 24 points and senior Jakob Scott grabbed 19 rebounds and scored nine points to lead the Huskies to victory.

Scott led the Othello defense with five blocks, Harris grabbed nine rebounds of his own and Judah Gowan added 16 points for Othello.

Prosser led 16-14 after eight minutes and took a 31-26 lead into the break.

The second half would be all Othello as the Huskies outscored the Mustangs 33-12 down the stretch to dispose of their CWAC rivals.

South Central Athletic Conference

Boys Basketball

Connell 61, Royal 37

ROYAL CITY — Royal senior Blair Collins scored 13 points for the Knights Saturday night but it wouldn’t be enough to power Royal past visiting Connell.

Connell’s Lance Whitney led all scorers with 27 points to push the Eagles past the Knights 61-37.

Royal junior Marc Albertson scored seven points and grabbed six rebounds in the losing effort.

Friday Recaps

Columbia Basin Big Nine

Boys Basketball

Wenatchee 64, Moses Lake 60

MOSES LAKE — Despite Moses Lake’s best efforts, the Chiefs couldn’t knock off Columbia Basin Big Nine Columbia Division boys basketball leader Wenatchee Friday night.

Moses Lake senior Josh Loera led the Chiefs with 31 points, but it would not be enough to overcome the Panthers.

Wenatchee was too strong for Moses Lake down the stretch and they pulled away for a 64-60 victory.