Sandpoint 66, Snake River 63

IDAHO FALLS — It came down to the final seconds, but Sandpoint held on to defeat Snake River by just three points Thursday in order to advance to the East Idaho Holiday Shootout Championship match.

The Panthers took their first lead of the game, 59-58, with 2:45 remaining in the fourth quarter. However, the Bulldogs regrouped and hit some clutch shots down the stretch. Down 60-59, Karlie Banks, who had a team-high of 24 points for the Bulldogs, hit a three-pointer off a great pass from Aliya Strock to put Sandpoint ahead, 62-60. During the final minute and change, Jordyn Tomco and Banks both went 2-for-2 from the line during crunch time to lift the Bulldogs to victory. Those free throws … especially crucial considering Snake River’s buzzer-beating three-point attempt hit just off the front iron.

“The girls played really well for all 32 minutes tonight,” head coach Will Love said. “That Snake River guard (Rylie Eldefsen) is one of the best in the entire state, and we actually played really tough defense against her. She was hitting some great shots. All in all, we were able to hold on at the end. It was a great team win and we’re happy that we have the opportunity to play for a championship.”

In addition to Banks’ 24 points, which included four three-pointers, Strock added 20 of her own — also draining four three’s. Freshmen Brecken Mire and Tomco both had 11 for the Bulldogs.

Overall, Sandpoint was 14-for-16 from the charity stripe; Tomco was an impressive 7-for-8, surely a difference maker in Thursday’s victory over the Panthers.

Sandpoint (11-1) will look to capture their seventh straight win and the tournament championship against Pocatello this Friday.

PTS: SPT – Banks 24, Strock 20, Mire 11, Tomco 11, Richardson 0, Laybourne 0, Driggs 0. SR – Edlefsen 32, Baldwin 19, Carlson 6, Watt 4, Dunn 2, Nash 0, G. Gilbert 0, L. Gilbert 0.