MOSES LAKE— Moses Lake Christian Academy boys basketball picked up the shorthanded win over Touchet at home Tuesday night, 56-40. With just six players in uniform, the Lions snagged their first win of the new year.

The Lions jumped out to a quick start in the game, forcing the timeout as they pulled ahead 13-3 in the first. The Indians just managed to trim the lead to single digits before the end of the quarter, with MLCA ahead at 19-8. Pierre and Jeff Boorman combined for 17 in the quarter.

Both Pierre and Jeff kept their hot hands heading into the second, combining to score all 15 for the Lions in the quarter. MLCA managed to outscore Touchet by four in the quarter to stretch their lead to 34-19 at the half.

The Indians managed to outscore the Lions 13-12 in the third, just trimming the lead at 46-32. MLCA managed to hold the visitors to single digits in a quarter for the second time in the fourth as the Lions held off a Touchet run for the win.

Pierre Boorman picked up the double-double with 27 points, 12 rebounds, two assists and three steals. Freshman Jeff Boorman finished with 22 for MLCA, adding six boards, a pair of assists and a block.

Assistant coach Daniel Timofeyev stood in for his brother, Moses, as head coach in the game. Timofeyev said after the game that he felt the team came out well, showing hustle on the defensive end.

“We did take the lead early, so it was nice to play with the lead,” Timofeyev said. “Just had to finish off the game, so that was kind of iffy, but got it done.”

Timofeyev said sophomore Pierre Boorman’s stat line comes simply from being a good basketball player, with confidence in himself and his shot.

“He’s a good athlete so he’s able to create his own shot, he’s able to come off screens and know where to shoot, he knows the offense pretty well, and he’s just hitting open shots,” Timofeyev said.

The MLCA assistant said the team is young this year, but they aren’t going to use that as an excuse. Timofeyev said the team just needs to continue to come out strong, giving it their all every practice.

“The scoring will come but, defensively, we just need to get down and play good defense,” Timofeyev said.

Freshman Jeff Boorman had a strong game in the win, but said he felt like he came out a little rusty early.

“I was a little nervous, I’ve just got to breath and come out strong,” he said.

After a strong game to start the new year, Jeff Boorman said he’s just hoping to keep shooting and making shots as the season moves forward, hopefully picking up some wins along the way.

The Lions will travel to face Shadle Park on Thursday for their next game.