Smith's steal helps 'Cats top Vikes

COLUMBIA FALLS - Guy Smith picked the right moment Thursday night to pick up his defense.

With the game clock under 40 seconds, and the Columbia Falls Wildcats clinging to a three-point lead over visiting Bigfork, Smith intercepted a Viking pass and sent the basketball ahead to senior guard Drew Perry for an easy layup.

Moments later, after a pair of free throws and another layup, the Wildcats (3-1, 10-1) celebrated a 76-67 Northwestern A victory, and also laid claim to the top spot in conference. Libby, at 4-2, is percentage points behind.

"That was a huge play," said Columbia Falls coach Cary

Finberg. "Guy stepped in front, did a good job. And being the heady player that he is, he threw it ahead," the coach added.

That was a terrific defensive moment during a night in

which each coach lamented the defense played by his own squad.

"I was happy for the most part, but I really thought our defensive intensity and our defensive execution really faltered there late in the third quarter," Finberg said.

The Wildcats had led by as many as 15 points, but were outscored 11-2 in the final 2:55 of the third quarter.

On top of that, Bigfork (3-3, 6-6) scored the first five points of the fourth to cut the Columbia Falls lead to 55-54.

"We could have done better. We let down on our defense," Smith said. "We made some mistakes … talking mistakes. We didn't communicate. They kept on getting inside on us."

The Wildcats jumped back to a five-point advantage, but the Vikings hung in every step of the way.

With 1:55 to go, Bigfork's Donny Houtonen scored the

final two points in a career-night of 29 to move the Vikings back within a point.

And at 1:37, they had a chance to take the lead when

they stole the ball. But the shot wouldn't go.

Although Bigfork rebounded

and was fouled, the Vikings missed both free throws.

"Give our kids credit for hanging in there, but if

we're going to get where we want to go, we've got to play better defense than we did tonight," Finberg said. "We've got to make a commitment.

"Bigfork did a great job handling our press and attacking the basket," he said. "We just didn't have an answer to slow them down. Luckily, we made some plays and the clock ran out," he said.

"Hopefully, we can learn to play with a lead from here

on out," Finberg said.

"We did make a good run," agreed Bigfork coach Jim

Epperly. "We executed better. We just need to learn how to get some stops. Defensively, the last three games, we're giving up over 60 points. Giving 76 points up, you're not going to win very many games. At

least, we're not," the coach said.

"We just couldn't get over the hump.

" I was proud of the kids' effort. But they totally outplayed us the last two minutes. I got outcoached and the kids got outplayed," he added.

"(The Wildcats) kind of dictated the pace the whole

game. They played at their pace and dictated the tempo. They're so quick!" he added.

Luke Taylor contributed 15 points for Bigfork.

For the Wildcats, it was a career night for Kevin

Boyer with 23 points, 10 in the first quarter. Perry added 21, 15 in the second half. Smith was also in double figures with 10.

"We're happy to be 3-1 and we're happy to be playing

good basketball," Finberg said.

But the Wildcats have another tough game tonight when

they play host at 6 p.m. to Ronan.

"We've got to bring another great effort and make sure

we don't lose at home. Ronan is a team that's right with us," Finberg said.

"(A loss) would knock us down the (conference) ladder

quite a bit."

The Vikings play host at 6 p.m. Saturday to Eureka.

Wildcats 76, Vikings 67

Bigfork 18 10 21 18 - 67

Columbia Falls 24 15 16 21 - 76

Bigfork - Mitchell Hill 0 2-2 2, Kellen Wasell 1 2-2 5, Laine Averill 4 0-0 8, Donny Houtonen 12 4-8 29, Luke Taylor 7 1-1 15, Cy Murer 3 2-4 8. Totals 27 11-17 67.

Columbia Falls - J.D. Fields 2 2-2 6, Drew Perry 6 8-10 21, Kevin Boyer 8 5-7 23, Guy Smith 3 4-6 10, Jace Ladenburg 1 0-0 2, Anthony Minson 4 0-1 8, Nick Beckwith 1 0-0 2, Greg Macijunas 2 0-1 4. Totals 27 19-28 76.

3-point goals: Bigfork 2 (Wasell, Houtonen), Columbia Falls 3 (Perry, Boyer 2). Total fouls: Bigfork 23, Columbia Falls 16. Fouled out: None.