RONAN - The Northwestern A boys divisional basketball tournament opened on a thrilling note as host Ronan slipped past Libby 39-37 on Thursday at the Ronan Event Center.

Ronan (9-10) outscored Libby 10-8 in the final frame. Libby missed a shot at the buzzer.

Jarod Tanner led Ronan offensively with 11 points.

Kelly May and Garrett Craig both scored 10 for Libby (9-10).

Ronan moves on to face top-ranked Columbia Falls (17-1) today at 2 p.m.

Whitefish (11-7) faces Polson (13-5) at 4 p.m.

Libby drops into loser-out action Saturday at 9 a.m.

Ronan 5 11 13 10 - 39

Libby 6 8 15 8 - 37

RONAN - Jarod Tanner 11, Kevin Wroblewski 8, Justin Dustybull 7, Lucas Black 7, Marcus Hungerford 3, Brady Oakland 3.

LIBBY - Kelly May 10, Garrett Craig 10, Alex Cislo 8, James Hare 4, Reese Jensen 3, Cree Maloney 2.

Girls

Whitefish 23,

Ronan 22

Ronan tried to close the gap in the fourth quarter, outscoring Whitefish 7-4, but the Bulldogs held on to claim the victory in the divisional tournament opener.

Whitefish (3-16) was led by Olivia Nagler's eight points. Jessica Poe added six.

Alice VanGunten scored seven to pace Ronan (1-18).

Whitefish advances to play top-tournament seed Columbia Falls (11-7) today at 6 p.m.

Libby tangles with Polson at 8 p.m.

Ronan falls to loser-out action Saturday at 10:45 a.m.

Whitefish 3 7 9 4 - 23

Ronan 6 7 2 7 - 22

WHITEFISH - Olivia Nagler 8, Jessica Poe 6, Simone Craft 5, Brooke Silliker 2, Shannon Craft 1, Heather Bailey 1.

RONAN - Alice VanGunten 7, Tailyr Irvine 4, Ashleigh Lynch 4, Courtney Clairmont 3, Ashley Grandchamp 3, Mariah Cheff 1.