PABLO — Missoula Loyola rallied for a 63-60 victory over Bigfork in semifinal action on Thursday at the Western B divisional boys basketball tournament.

Fifth-ranked Bigfork (18-4) seemed poised to pull off the victory, taking a 48-37 lead into the fourth period. The Vikings also held a big edge at the half, up 34-20.

But the third-ranked Rams outscored Bigfork 26-12 in the fourth period to advance to the championship game tonight.

Only five players scored for Loyola (18-4), led by Peter Shaughnessey with 17 points.

Bigfork’s Ian Lorang led all scorers with 18 points. Christian Ker added 11 for the Vikings.

Loyola will face No. 2 Florence (21-1) tonight at 8:30 for the divisional title. Florence crushed Troy 58-38 in the other semifinal matchup.

“We had a double digit lead, we just didn’t handle the pressure as well as we needed to,” a disappointed Bigfork coach Paul La Mott said.

“We were dominating them. We had it. We absolutely had it.”

Loyola finally tied the game at 60-all with five seconds left.

The Rams then capitalized on a big break, sinking two free throws after a technical foul was called on Bigfork regarding a timeout.

Bigfork fouled on the inbounds pass by Loyola and the Rams sank another free throw for a three-point lead and the victory.

Loyola held a big advantage at the free throw line, going 18-for-24. Bigfork had just 11 shots, making five.

Bigfork drops into loser-out play today a 12:30 p.m. versus Plains. If Bigfork wins, it would play in the consolation final at  7 p.m.

Troy (12-11) drops into loser-out action today at 11 a.m. versus Valley Christian.

Bigfork    17    17    14    12    —    60

Loyola    13    7    17    26    —    63

BIGFORK — Carter Sorenson 3 1-1 8, Lael Richmond 4 0-1 8, Ian Lorang 4 1-3 18, Evan Jordt 1 0-0 2, Travis Knoll 3 1-2 7, Christian Ker 3 2-4 11, Keenan Evans 1 0-0 2, Dillon Fraley 2 0-0 4. Totals: 25 5-11 60.

LOYOLA — Carter Bermingham 3 0-0 7, Peter Shaughnessey 4 9-11 17, Pat Jensen 5 4-6 14, Cade Cross 5 3-4 13, Everett Johnston 4 2-3 12. Totals: 21 18-24 63.

3-point goals: Sorenson, Lorang, Ker; Berminghkam, Johnston (2); Team fouls: Bigfork 17, Loyola 16; Fouled out: None.

Florence 58, Troy 38

Florence    11    14    15    18    —    58

Troy    8    17    7    6    —    38

FLORENCE — Ross Mangun 0 4-4 4, Reid Baerlocher 6 6-10 19, Brandon Lorenson 4 0-0 8, Alex Mitchell 3 5-5 11, Riley Phillips 1 0-1 2, Chris Benson 1 4-6 6, Adam Greger 1 0-0 2, Kenny Collins 1 0-0 2, Quinn Smith 2 0-3 4. Totals 19 19-29 58.

TROY — Ryan Rayson 3 0-0 7, Jake Alexander 3 0-0 8, Jake Higgins 0 0-1 0, Kody Hoffman 1 1-2 3, Trent Cratty 4 3-3 13, Tom Roeder 2 0-1 4, Brian Hammrich 1 1-2 3. Totals 14 5-9 38.

3-point goals — Florence 1 (Baerlocher), Troy 5 (Cratty 2, Alexander 2, Rayson); Team fouls — Florence 14, Troy 20; Fouled out — Cratty, Alexander.

  Loser Out Games

Plains 57, Deer Lodge 54

Plains     12     14     21     10     –     57

Deer Lodge     13     13     11     17     –     54

PLAINS – Kyle Hermiston 0 0-1 0, Dillon Fryxell 6 3-4 15, Brian Green 3 0-1 6, Bryce Benson 4 0-1 8, Trent Thompson 7 10-13 24, Carson Lilja 2 0-0 4, Taylor Firestone 0 0-0 0, Tanner Ostrom 0 0-0 0. Totals 22 13-20 57.

DEER LODGE – Patrick Ryan 5 4-4 14, Drew Doiron 2 1-2 5, Troy Thomas 10 2-5 25, Nick Herrin 1 0-0 2, Matt Pomeroy 1 0-0 2, Brandon Forson 0 0-0 0, Robert Stone 1 0-0 2, Bo Antila 0 0-0 0, TJ Thomas 0 0-0 0, Jake Davenport 0 4-5 4, Conner Meagher 0 0-0 0. Totals 20 11-16 54.

3-point goals – Plains 0, Deer Lodge 3 (Tr. Thomas 3). Total fouls – Plains 16, Deer Lodge 20. Fouled out – Tr. Thomas, Herrin.

Valley Christian 74, Thompson Falls 54

Valley Christian     24     12     22     16     –     74

Thompson Falls     7     16     9     20     –     54

VALLEY CHRISTIAN – Morgan Parsons 7 5-5 20, Matthew Bohlken 2 1-3 5, Andrew Schmautz 3 7-8 13, Caleb Huber 5 0-2 15, Christopher Wiley 1 0-1 2, Lane Norberg 1 0-0 2, Austin Seagraves 2 0-1 4, Geoffrey Glidewell 0 2-4 2, Lincoln Palmer 1 1-2 3, Kyle Collins 1 0-0 2, Josiah Peterson 0 0-0 0. Totals 25 18-28 74.

THOMPSON FALLS – Chalis Wilson 2 1-4 5, Josh Hojem 3 1-2 7, Brandon Wakefield 2 1-3 5, Will Dalby 1 0-4 2, Mike Wood 4 0-0 8, Blade Jacobson 0 0-0 0, Jaron Laws 5 1-2 16, Garrett Reinschmidt 1 4-8 6, Cody Philips 0 0-0 0, Jesse Petrie 1 0-1 3, Chris Pavlik 1 0-2 2. Totals 20 8-26 54.

3-point goals – Valley Christian 6 (Huber 5), Thompson Falls 6 (Laws 5). Total fouls – Valley Christian 17, Thompson Falls 21. Fouled out – Wakefield.