COEUR d'ALENE - A few more conversions in that first half, and the Lake City Timberwolves could have had a different finish to the 5A Inland Empire League game with the visiting Lewiston Bengals on Tuesday.

But Lake City failed to convert on a few open looks early, and it cost the T-Wolves late as the Bengals, ranked second in last week's 5A media poll, beat the Timberwolves 51-39.

"We had six wide open layups in the first half," Lake City coach Bryan Kelly said. "If we get those, it's a different game. I'm proud of the girls. I thought they responded and played well after last Thursday's game (a 53-40 loss to visiting Post Falls). I didn't think we played with much heart then, and they came out and wanted to play tonight."

Emilee Schlader scored 12 points for Lewiston (14-1, 3-0 5A IEL), with 10 of her 12 coming in the first half on offensive rebounds.

"Lewiston is the No. 2 team in the state for a reason," Kelly said. "They're good and I thought we played well. We missed some opportunities and some rebounds, and that we need to fix. That comes down to heart and going in believing that you're going to get the ball."

Clarissa Smith had 14 points and Natalie Wheelock had five assists and six rebounds for Lake City (13-4, 1-2), which hosts Coeur d'Alene in the Fight for the Fish spirit game on Friday.

"We've got a big game coming up on Friday," Kelly said. "I've been telling them it's a two- to three-game season in the regional tournament. Our goals are still in front of us. We just need to keep getting better, and it starts at practice. We're right there. We're a couple of mistakes from being really good."

Lewiston can clinch at least a tie for the league title with a win next Friday at Coeur d'Alene, and win it outright with a win on Jan. 24 against visiting Post Falls.

"We're pretty happy with where we're at," Lewiston coach Dave Corneila said. "What it comes down to now, is we want the tournament at our place because it gives us the best chance to get to state."

Lake City cut the deficit to 36-32 early in the fourth quarter, but Halle White scored five of her 10 points in the final four minutes to help Lewiston pull away. Lynzee Wilson and Haylee Weeks had 10 points apiece for Lewiston.

"Lewiston's a good team and everything," Kelly said. "They've got guards, posts and we were right there with them. It just didn't go our way. It went from a four- to a 10-point game, and that's the difference right there. If we can play four quarters, and fix our mistakes, we're right there."

Lewiston 13 7 16 18 - 51

Lake City 7 10 12 10 - 39

LEWISTON - Weeks 10, Wilson 10, Thomason 2, Schlader 12, Corneila 6, Bailey 3, White 10, Roy 0, Havens 0, Johnson 0.

LAKE CITY - Eborall 1, Dvorak 0, Carlson 0, K. Maryon 0, Wheelock 3, Smith 14, O. Maryon 2, Rewers 8, Meier 10, Simpson 2.