Libby boys drop pair of Northwest A games to Polson, Columbia Falls

The Loggers came up just short on the road Saturday, falling 48-45 to Polson in a tight Northwest A Conference boys basketball matchup.

Libby (2-13 overall, 0-9 Northwest A) battled to the final possession after trimming a seven-point deficit in the closing minutes. 

Trailing 47-40, Jonathan Cano hit one of three free throws before Kale Hall followed an offensive rebound with a putback to make it 47-43. After Polson’s Maddox Bird went 1-for-2 at the line, Blaise Erickson buried a mid-range jumper with 13.9 seconds remaining to pull the Loggers within three.

Tristan Andersen had a chance to force overtime, but his 3-point attempt came up short at the buzzer as Polson held on.

Andersen led Libby with 14 points, while Bransen Holzer added 12. Hall finished with seven, Erickson scored four and James Woody chipped in four.

Polson was paced by Malakai Curley, who knocked down six 3-pointers and finished with a game-high 24 points. The Pirates improved to 7-7.

Libby won the first quarter 14-13, but Polson used a 12-6 edge in the second period to take a halftime lead.

Earlier in the week on Thursday, Feb. 5, Libby dropped a home contest to the Columbia Falls Wildcats, falling 72-29 in another conference game.

Columbia Falls (9-4, 5-2) built separation early behind Jett Pitts, who scored nine of his 14 points in the opening quarter. Libby led 5-0 early in the game, but the Wildcats led 19-9 after one and never looked back, outscoring Libby 23-2 in the second period.

Andersen again led Libby with 14 points. Blaise Erickson and James Woody each scored four, while Bransen Holzer finished with four.

The Loggers played at Whitefish Thursday. They are scheduled to host Browning Saturday.