MOSES LAKE - The Moses Lake boys basketball team took one the chin at home Tuesday as they lost a hard-fought nonleague contest to Chiawana, 54-50.

"It was tough game for us tonight," coach John Hohman said. "We got into foul trouble and turned the ball over too many times and its hard to win when you do that."

The Chiefs fell behind early as Moses Lake trailed 17-9 at the end of the first quarter of action. But the team hung tough and edged a bit closer, down 25-18 at the half.

The Chiefs regrouped in the locker room and were able to close the gap to 37-33 at the end of the third quarter, then matched the Riverhawks 17-17 in the fourth. Unfortunately, they were unable to get over the hump and dropped the game by four points.

Moses Lake was led by Denis Ulyanchuk who knocked down 22 points, Mitch Hohman who added 7, and Josh Hirz who finished with 6. The Chiefs committed 28 fouls and had 19 turnover, but out rebounded Chiawana 41-28.

"We're still trying to figure out our best combination on the court," Hohman said. "We are a young team that works and plays hard. This is a great group of kids who put it all on the line each time out and I am proud of everyone of them for doing so."

Moses Lake opens league play with back to back home games this weekend. The Chiefs host Wenatchee Friday, then play Eastmont Saturday. Both game start at 7:30 p.m.