Down 17 points in the second half, a furious Glacier comeback fell short against Missoula Sentinel on Thursday night, the Wolfpack losing 56-50 in a Western AA conference boys basketball game at Glacier High School. 

The Wolfpack was doomed by a slow start, falling behind 18-5 midway through the first quarter as Sentinel took advantage of Glacier’s transition defense. The Spartans scored 10 of their 23 first-quarter points on the fast break.

“They got to us,” Glacier coach Mark Harkins said. 

“We were trying to work a new defense and I think we were hesitant on it still. Maybe not quite ready. So, I think we were tentative. We were so worried about getting to our spots, we didn’t do the basic thing of getting back on defense. 

“They got after us. They came out with a great game plan to push it in transition and they caught us on our heels in that first quarter.”

The problem was compounded by Glacier’s eagerness to shoot from the outside, where after making its first shot of the night on a 3-pointer, it missed six straight attempts, forcing Harkins to take a timeout. The Wolfpack closed the game making just 4 of 23 shots from long range.

“Their defense was sagging, that’s how teams have played us a lot lately. We’ve got to make those shots. But I called that timeout to tell the guys we have to get the ball inside and attack the rim.”

When Glacier got the ball inside it had success, senior guard Evan Epperly in particular. Epperly scored 22 points, all inside five feet, and was key in the Wolfpack’s charge back in the game. 

Glacier trailed the Spartans 45-28 with two minutes left in the third quarter when it turned to Epperly to create some offense. Epperly spun through the lane and hoisted a circus layup while falling down to get the run started. 

The Wolfpack’s final two 3s of the night got the lead closer, one by Kyler Harkins to close the third quarter to cut it to 12 and another three minutes into the fourth by Bryan Michaels to get it to single digits. With 2:13 left, Epperly turned it on, scoring four straight possessions on drives to the basket to cut Sentinel’s lead to 54-50. 

“Evan did a great job penetrating tonight, getting in the paint and scoring for us especially in that second half,” Mark Harkins said. “He kind of put everybody on his shoulders and said, ‘Let’s go.’ That’s what leaders do and that’s why he’s a good leader.”

Still benefiting from a slew of missed free throws by Sentinel — the Spartans were just 3 for 7 from the line during Glacier’s 15-7 run — Glacier went back to the deep shot, where it couldn’t connect, going scoreless over the game’s final minute.

Michaels had 11 points for the Wolfpack and Kyler Harkins had 10 points and eight rebounds. 

Austin Violette led Sentinel with 17 points, including three 3s, while both Zaccheus Darko-Kelly and Chase Walker had 11. Kagen Kameneh had a double-double for Sentinel with 10 points and 10 boards.

Glacier has a quick turnaround, heading on the road tonight to play Missoula Big Sky. The Wolfpack beat the Eagles 51-34 at home earlier this season. 

Sentinel23101211—56

Glacier1410917—50

SENTINEL — Zaccheus Darko-Kelly 3-11 4-4 11, Quaizhon Walker 1-4 0-0 2, Kagen Kameneh 4-8 2-3 10, Austin Violette 7-12 0-0 17, Chase Walker 4-9 2-5 11, Matt Warren 1-2 1-4 3, Sean Laughnan 1-3 0-0 2. Totals: 21-49 9-16 56.

GLACIER — Evan Epperly 10- 21 2-3 22, Bryan Michaels 5-10 0-1 11, Kyler Harkins 4-11 0-0 10, Tanner Olsen 1-2 0-0 2, Sam McCamley 1-6 0-0 3, Cain Boschee 0-4 2-3 2. Totals: 21-54 4-7 50.

3-pointers — Sentinel 5-14 (Violette 3), Glacier 4-23 (Harkins 2). Rebounds — Sentinel 33 (Kahmeneh 10), Glacier 29 (Harkins 8). Assists — Sentinel 17 (Darko-Kelly 5), Glacier 10 (Harkins 7, Michaels 6). Blocks — Sentinel 0, Glacier 1 (Michaels). Steals — Sentinel 5 (Q. Walker 2), Glacier 7 (Michaels, McCamley 2). Fouls — Sentinel 13, Glacier 15. Technical fouls — none. Fouled out — none.