Austin Savik’s Buzzer-Beater Lifts Bigfork Past Polson
LUKE SCHMIT | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 3 months, 1 week AGO
SPORTS REPORTER, KEEPING SCORE AND BIG SKY NOW PODCAST HOST Luke Schmit leads the charge on our local and regional sports podcast shows. His coverage includes regional and college athletics connected to Montana and the broader Big Sky Conference. Schmit reports on major games, athletes, and sports trends affecting teams across the region. He also contributes interviews, analysis, and multimedia coverage for digital audiences. His reporting helps readers stay connected to the teams and athletes that shape Montana sports. IMPACT: Luke’s work brings readers closer to the teams and athletes that define Montana’s sports culture. | January 13, 2026 11:00 PM
BIGFORK — Austin Savik scored 21 points and hit a buzzer-beater to lift the Bigfork boys past Polson 44-42 in Northwest A basketball on Tuesday evening.
After Kyson Michel tied the game at 42 apiece with 15 seconds left, Savik received the ball on an out-of-bounds play under the basket with two-seconds on the clock, and the rest was history.
“We got it done, we got the W, we will play better next game,” said a humble Savik after the big shot and performance.
Polson’s Cody Haggard scored 12 points. Malakai Curley added eight and Michel contributed seven.
Bigfork (6-3, 3-0 in Northwest A) struggled early, scoring just six points in the first quarter. Polson (3-4, 0-1 in conf.) built a 14-6 lead at the end of the first period.
Turnovers and missed shots piled up, but the Vikings stayed within reach behind their defense.
“I’m really proud of the kids,” said Bigfork coach John Hollow. “We didn’t play our best game, and I didn’t put them in the best spots, but they showed resiliency and found a way to win defensively.”
Treker Hickey provided the first spark for the Vikings. He made two early 3-pointers for the Vikings. In the second quarter, he made another shot from deep to score the first 9 points of the game for Bigfork.
Savik tied the game with his own three-pointer and followed with a layup to give the Vikings their first lead of the game at 16-14. Bigfork outscored Polson 15-8 in the second quarter, but the Pirates still led at half 22-21.
The teams traded leads throughout the third quarter, with Polson narrowly ahead 33-31 entering the fourth. Scoring was scarce down the stretch, but Savik delivered late, scoring key baskets to give Bigfork an edge.
“We still have a lot of room to grow,” said Hollow. “The guys are buying in, and that’s exciting.”
Bigfork outscored Polson 13–9 in the fourth quarter to remain undefeated in conference play.
The Vikings return to their home court on Thursday, Jan. 15 in a matchup against Browning at 7:15 p.m.
Polson 14 8 11 9 - 42
Bigfork 6 15 10 13 - 44
POLSON — Kyson Michel 7, Holden Emerson 2, Maddox Bird 5, Malakai Curley 8, Cody Haggard 12, Roman Sawyer 2, Amadeus Old Shoes 6.
BIGFORK — Tayden West 5, Tamret Savik 2, Grady Campbell 1, Treker Hickey 13, Austin Savik 21, Justin Gates 2.
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