WHITEFISH - At times, it was pretty brutal.

"It was a physical game out there, both sides," Whitefish girls basketball coach Sean Duff said.

"Bloody noses, kids pretty frustrated on both sides. We mixed it up with them. We didn't back down at all."

Whitefish trailed by as many as 16 points in the first half and by 19, 35-16, early in the third period.

"They have not given up all year," Duff said of his players.

"They believe and I believe."

And that belief nearly paid off.

The Bulldogs (2-15 overall, 1-6 league) put together a late rally with help from a full-court press to challenge Libby before falling short 39-29 in a Northwestern A girls basketball game on Thursday.

"Whitefish did a good job," Libby coach Jim May said.

"They were very aggressive. We got a lead on them and they fought back."

Libby, up 23-8 at the half, was held to 16 second-half points.

"They were forcing us to be passive on offense," May said of the Whitefish defense in the final half.

"We kind of panicked and lost the lead."

But not the game.

"You know, we're getting better, getting better," Duff said.

"Libby is the best defensive team in our conference, hands down."

Libby (8-10, 4-4) benefited from another strong all-around performance by 5-foot-10 senior wing Jaime Gilden. She led all scorers with 15 points, was a force on the defensive end with her hustle, had numerous steals to fuel fast-break opportunities and set up some nice easy scores with her beautiful passing

She also looked like an all-pro wide receiver while hauling in a perfectly thrown long out-of-bounds pass from teammate Alysha Martin which ended with an easy Gilden layup for the final points of the game with 35 seconds remaining.

"She's their motor," Duff said of Gilden.

"She gave us a whole lot of problems."

"She's quick, has long arms, has endurance," May said of his standout.

"She goes forever. She's very smart."

Whitefish was led offensively by Brooke Silliker, who tallied 11 points.

Ashlee Brewer had six rebounds, which was a team best for WHS.

The Bulldogs turned in solid effort at the free-throw line, going 11 for 18. Taylor Havens was a perfect 5 for 5.

Libby was 7 for 9 from the line.

Whitefish is back in action tonight hosting Ronan in its regular-season finale.

Libby 10 13 8 8 - 39

Whitefish 5 3 8 13 - 29

LIBBY - Alysha Martin 2 4-5 8, Jaime Gilden 6 2-2 15, Logan Best 4 0-0 9, Taylor Barton 1 0-0 2, Kim Tangen 2 1-2 5. Totals: 15 7-9 39.

WHITEFISH - Taylor Havens 0 5-5 5, Ashley Millard 0 1-2 1, Heather Bailey 2 0-0 4, Olivia Curtiss 0 0-2 0, Jessica Poe 1 1-2 4, Shannon Craft 0 1-2 1, Brooke Silliker 4 2-3 11, Simone Craft 1 0-0 2, Ashlee Brewer 0 1-2 1. Totals: 8 11-18 29.

3-point goals: Gilden, Best; Poe, Silliker; Team fouls: Libby 16, Whitefish 15; Fouled out: None; Technical fouls: Curtiss; Libby coach Jim May.