Lake City 54, Sandpoint 37

SANDPOINT — Sandpoint kept it close for a quarter, but the Timberwolves pulled away for the win in the second half at Les Rogers Court on Thursday.

After a slow start, the Bulldogs went on an 8-2 run between the first and second quarters to take a 14-12 lead; their first lead of the contest. However, the lead was short-lived as Lake City pulled away by scoring 16 of the next 21 points heading into halftime.

“I thought we had some moments where we played really well, particularly in that first quarter,” head coach Will Love said. “Lake City is such a good team — such a veteran team — and they started to figure us out on the defensive end. Their press got us out of sync at the right time and we struggled in that second quarter. We knew it was going to be tough, but I’m pleased with the way our girls responded.”

On the night, Karlie Banks led the Bulldogs with a team-high 12 points while Jordyn Tomco added 11. Demi Driggs hauled in a season-high eight rebounds. Lake City’s Sophia Zufelt led the Timberwolves with 12 points, all of which came behind the three-point line, 10 assists, and eight rebounds.

Sandpoint, who is officially without last year’s 5A/4A Athlete of the Year, and first team all-state basketball star Aliya Strock after a season-ending knee injury two games ago, will look to find their groove as they make adjustments moving forward.

“We’re still working to find who we are now that Aliya is done,” Love said. “It’s a good first step forward and I’m excited about the potential this group has. I think the more and more we can practice, the better we are going to get. When you look at our schedule over the last month, it’s been very hectic; we haven’t had a lot of time to work on things … January is going to bring us some more time to work on and fine tune some things. I’m excited for that, but we have another big test tomorrow in Lakeland, and I know that they are going to come ready to go.”

Sandpoint (12-3, 3-0) hosts Lakeland tomorrow at 7 p.m. Sandpoint boys will also face Lakeland at home at 5:30. If unable to attend, Bob Witte will be broadcasting the doubleheader on KSPT 97.1 FM and on northidahoradio.com.

Lake City 12 16 18 8 – 54

Sandpoint 10 9 8 10 – 37

PTS: SPT – Banks 12, Tomco 11, B. Mire 9, Richardson 3, L. Driggs 2, D. Driggs 0, Laybourne 0, Knowles 0. LC – Zimmerman 15, Zufelt 12, Pickford 9, Waddington 6, Frazey 6, Murphey 3, Kolden 3, Hiltenbrand 0.

REB: SPT – D. Driggs 8, Banks 4, Tomco 3, Laybourne 2, B. Mire 2, Richardson 1. LC – Zufelt 8, Waddington 8, Zimmerman 6, Frazey 3, Pickford 3.

AST: SPT – D. Driggs 1, Knowles 1, B. Mire 1, Banks 1. LC – Zufelt 10, Waddington 3, Frazey 3, Pickford 3.

STL: SPT – B. Mire 2, L. Driggs 2, D. Driggs 1, Tomco 1, Banks 1. LC – Pickford 2, Waddington 1.

BLK: SPT – None. LC – Zimmerman 1.