POST FALLS - The Moses Lake High School boys basketball team took one on the chin Tuesday, dropping a non-league game to Post Falls, 59-45.

Cliff Phillips led the offensive attack for the Chiefs with 14 points, eight rebounds and three assists. Bryce Perez added 12 points and six boards. Josh Hirz finished with eight points.

"I thought our kids played well," coach John Hohman said. "It was a back and forth game. We got within six points near the end, but didn't take care of the ball ... turned it over a few times and then had to foul to try and get the ball back as time was running out."

The see-saw battle saw the lead change hands six times during the contest, with the biggest lead being the final score of the game.

The teams played a competitive first quarter, which saw the Trojans end up on top 14-13. But Post Falls dominated the second eight minutes of action, out scoring  Moses Lake 19-9 to go up 33-22 at the half.

"Our guys seemed to tire in the second quarter, so we gave our substituted liberally," Hohman said.  "We were also playing without our starting point guard Jordan Chavez and that really hurt us."

The second half of play was a real barn burner as Post Falls put 26 points on the board to the Chiefs 23. But the effort by Moses Lake wasn't enough to make up the 11-point margin at halftime as the Chiefs lost the game 59-45.

The loss drops Moses Lake to 4-5 overall.

"We've had to face some very tough non-league opponents," Hohman said. "But we are still in the thick of things in league play (1-1)."

The Chiefs are back on the hardwood tomorrow night when they host the Eisenhower Cadets (0-2, 1-8) at 7:30 p.m.

"Eisenhower is a young team with a new coach and are trying to learn his system," Hohman said. "If play smart and take care of the ball, things should turn out positive for us."