DAVIS - The boys basketball game between Moses Lake and Davis resembled two prize-fighters exchanging blows in a close match Friday as the lead changed hands five time in the first half of play.

The Pirates got the upper hand, 14-12 after the first quarter of play and took a slim 31-27 score into the locker room at the break.

But Davis had the Chiefs on the ropes in the second half of action as the Pirates out scored Moses Lake 41-30 to cruise to a 72-57 win.

Denis Ulyanchuk led the offensive attack for the Chiefs with 16 points. He also pulled down a game high 10 rebounds.

Nick Sutherland knocked down 9 points, Mitch Hohman had 8, and Cameron Ballard and Easton Baker finished with 7 points each.

Moses Lake won the rebound battle, 35-27. The Chiefs shot 39 percent from the field, and 30 percent from beyond the arc, but only sank five of eight shots from the charity stripe.

Max Jones led the scoring for the Pirates with 25 points. Nikhil Lizotte had 23.

The loss to Davis drops Moses Lake to 4-9 in Big Nine league play, and 6-12 overall. Two games remain in the regular season. The Chiefs host Sunnyside Friday at 7:30 p.m., and then hit the road to take on the Cadets from Eisenhower Saturday.

Moses Lake open district play when tthe Chiefs travel to Wenatchee to take on the Eastmont Wildcats Feb. 15.