Sandpoint 56, Lewiston 44

LEWISTON — Sandpoint, which led by as many as 19 points Tuesday night, bounced back from their tourney championship loss to defeat Lewiston by 12 on the road.

Sandpoint led 30-11 at the half, but Lewiston came out with a strong third quarter, outscoring the Bulldogs 19-9. With 3:28 remaining in the fourth, the Bengals trailed by just five points, but Sandpoint’s Demi Driggs and Karlie Banks gave the Bulldogs the extra boost they needed. The two hit three’s on back-to-back possessions down the stretch to help propel the Bulldogs to victory after the late Bengal rally.

“We had a great first half, offensively and defensively,” head coach Will Love said. “I also thought the girls responded well and got sorted out after that run by Lewiston in the second half. Karlie Banks, Brecken Mire, and Demi Driggs all had some clutch baskets near the end. There are some things we will have to clean up before playing the best team in the state Thursday, Lake City, and then having to play Lakeland on Friday.”

Banks led the way Tuesday with 19 points, seven rebounds, and three steals. Brecken Mire added 18 points, nine rebounds, and four assists. Lily Richardson recorded a season-high four steals and three assists for the Bulldogs.

“Lily (Richardson) has played really well the past couple of games,” Love said. “She has been getting the job done on defense, and she is going to hit some shots here soon … She has stepped up and provided us with a needed spark, especially against Pocatello and tonight against Lewiston.”

Sandpoint (12-2, 3-0) hosts Lake City (13-1, 3-0) on Thursday.

Sandpoint 19 11 9 17 – 56

Lewiston 7 4 19 14 – 44

PTS: SPT – Banks 19, B. Mire 18, Tomco 10, Driggs 4, Laybourne 3, Richardson 2, T. Mire 0, Knowles 0, David 0, L. Driggs 0. LEW – Albright 14, DeGroot 12, McKarcher 11, Delich 3, Van Trease 2, Lathen 2.

REB: SPT – B. Mire 9, Banks 7, D. Driggs 4, Laybourne 3, Tomco 3, Richardson 1. LEW – N/A.

AST: SPT – B. Mire 4, Richardson 3, Tomco 2, Laybourne 2. LEW – N/A.

STL: SPT – Richardson 4, Tomco 3, Banks 3, D. Driggs 1, B. Mire 1, T. Mire 1. LEW – N/A.

BLK: SPT – Banks 1. LEW – N/A.