Against Whitefish, the visiting Bulldogs connected on better than half their shots during a big first frame that included a trio of triples.

The host Chiefs almost matched their visitors during the second period, but trailed at the half by nine. Ronan would erase the deficit with a productive third quarter during which they made half their shots in contrast to a lone field goal by Whitefish.

The Chiefs would maintain their precarious margin as they converted one more field goal than their visitors while matching them at the charity stripe.

The crucial conference clash featured a trio of Chiefs scoring in double figures, led by a double-double from Girma Detwiler, while Leonard Burke and Elijah Tonasket combined for a tally of more than two dozen.

Leonard Burke crossed the century threshold for season scoring.

The Chiefs will host the Mission Bulldogs this Friday then travel to Frenchtown the following day.

Ronan 58, Whitefish 55

Ronan (1-2, 3-4), Whitefish (1-2, 2-5)

Whitefish 22 14 5 14 – 55

Ronan 14 13 16 15 – 58

WHITEFISH – Bodie Smith 6 8-12 20, Justin Conklin 4 1-2 12, Jayce Cripe 3 0-0 9, Sam Menicke 3 2-3 8, Talon Holmquist 2 2-6 6. 18-52 13-25 55

RONAN – Girma Detwiler 8 1-5 18, Elijah Tonasket 5 2-4 12, *Leonard Burke 5 1-5 14, Trey Don’t Mix 4 0-2 8, Payton Cates 2 2-2 6, *Sage Coffman 0 0-0 0. 24-58 6-18 58

3FG – W6-19 (Conklin 3-10, Cripe 3-6), R4-12 (Burke 2-7, G.Detwiler 1-4, Coffman 1-1). REB – W36 (S.Menicke 8), R40 (G.Detwiler 10, T.Don’tMix 9, Tonasket 6, Cates 4, L.Burke 4, Ruben Couture 3, noID 4). AST – W9 (B.Smith 3), R13 (Tonasket 4, Don’tMix 3, G.Detwiler 2, L.Burke 2, Cates, Coffman). STL – W9 (B.Smith 2, Cripe 2), R7 (G.Detwiler 2, Cates 2, L.Burke 2, Tonasket). BLK – W1 (Cripe), R7 (G.Detwiler 3, Don’tMix 3, Zarec Couture). (Tu07Jan20)

Asterisk (*) denotes stat variant(s) where alternate data exists: venue bk cites #23 L.Burke 11p(3FG 2-7, 2FG 2-10, FT 1-5), #24 Coffman 3p (1q3FG 1-1, 4q2FG 0-2).