MOSES LAKE — A flurry of first-half turnovers allowed the visiting Lewiston Bengals to build a 20-plus point lead over Moses Lake during the first half, later riding out to an 81-36 win over the Mavericks on Tuesday night.

Moses Lake struggled with Lewiston’s press defense, which forced turnovers in the backcourt and led to Bengal baskets in transition.

“That’s kind of been our deal all season — can we take care of the basketball and value possessions,” Moses Lake Head Coach Jake Hunt said. “We’ve struggled with that, we’ve had those moments where we struggle when teams put the pressure on us. We’ve got to take care of the basketball, we’re just consistently turning it over.”

After the game opened with a three-pointer by Maverick sophomore Kyre Wiltbank, Moses Lake and Lewiston traded baskets before the Bengals went on a 16-4 run to close out the first quarter, leading 21-9 after the first eight minutes. Lewiston found success scoring in the paint against Moses Lake’s defense, which later led to open looks from beyond the arc.

“They started attacking us downhill,” Hunt said. “They got some pretty good paint touches, and we couldn’t take care of the basketball. When we did get into the frontcourt, we didn’t have much side-to-side movement and attacking downhill ourselves. I thought we came out well the first quarter, we just didn’t hit shots very well.”

The three-point barrage by the Bengale carried into the second and third quarters Tuesday night, allowing Lewiston to build its lead to 42-19 at halftime.

“They’re a solid team, and they play some pretty solid competition with Lake City and Coeur d’Alene,” Hunt said. “Our guys have to play ahead and get guys off the three-point line. ID shooters super quick, and get a hand up to get those guys off the line.”

After halftime, Moses Lake’s first two possessions ended in turnovers as Lewiston continued to press and intercept Moses Lake’s passes. The Mavs were unable to overcome the 23-point halftime deficit, falling 81-36 to Lewiston.

Maverick sophomore Tyce Miller led Moses Lake with 10 points, followed by junior Brayden Kast with eight points and senior Willem Jansen with six points.

“We came out that third quarter and thought we made some good adjustments, then we turned the ball over five times,” Hunt said. “Can we put some things back to back and get ourselves a run? That’s where we’re struggling with our inexperiences.”

Tuesday’s game came just three days after the Mavs picked up their fourth win of the year and second win in the Columbia Basin Big 9, having defeated Wenatchee 65-43 at home Saturday. Saturday’s win snapped a six-game losing streak for Moses Lake.

“It felt really good, and it was a league win too that was good for us,” Hunt said. “We had been on the road for six or seven games on the road, so it was nice to finally have one at home and take care of that at home.”

Against the Panthers, Wiltbank led Moses Lake with 21 points, converting on nine-of-11 shots from the field and three-of-five 3-pointers. Miller scored 12 points, and Kast and sophomore Grady Walker tied with nine points each.

“We were able to get into our press really well and attack them off that,” Hunt said. “Good things off our defense led to really good offense.”

After Wednesday’s road game against league-leading Davis, the Mavs travel to Sunnyside on Friday before hosting Eisenhower on Saturday.

“Just got to build our momentum and take care of one game at a time, one quarter at a time,” Hunt said.

Ian Bivona may be reached at ibivona@columbiabasinherald.com.

Box score

Bengals: 21-20-23-17 81
Mavs: 9-10-9-7 36

    Moses Lake sophomore Grady Walker (15) attempts a jump shot in the first half against Lewiston.
  

    Moses Lake sophomore Kyre Wiltbank, left, shoots a three-pointer in the second quarter against Lewiston.