Flathead pulls away in 2nd half

Two minutes, 39 seconds.

That’s the amount of time the Flathead Braves needed to turn a nip-and-tuck basketball game into an 11-point lead on Saturday night.

From there the blowout was on as Flathead (1-2) downed Northwestern A Libby 73-52 in a nonconference matchup.

The Braves had led the Loggers (1-3) by just five at the half.

“That was our best half of the year,” said Libby coach Wally Winslow.

The game was tied at 14-all after the first quarter and Libby stayed right with the Braves in the second quarter, even leading the game momentarily.

“I knew Wally would have them ready to play. I was really impressed with the (Colton) Cannon kid. If we left him open, he buried it,” Flathead coach Fred Febach said.

Cannon led the Loggers with 18 points — 15 in the first half. Other leaders for Libby were Kelly May with 10 points and Garrett Craig with nine. Cree Maloney, James Hare and Nate Broden had four rebounds each.

“We competed well and we made some plays. But halves don’t win games and halves don’t win tournaments,” Winslow said.

“Our problem is inconsistency. We’ve been fighting decision-making. In the first half, we made good decisions,” he added.

But that third quarter was rough on the Loggers as they were outscored 22-10.

“We got a couple of looks, we cashed in on them. And then we got stops at the other end. To my boys credit, once we got that lead, we were not going to

give it up,”  Febach said.

“Right away it got to 10 and then we let them get out of contact,” Winslow said.

“We didn’t make plays and they did. For us to be down 10 is a lot,” he said.

“The way we’re going to win games is to rebound like crazy, play great defense and not turn it over.

“I think we got a little weary. Not physically, but mentally. Coach Febach and his kids always play so hard. Every kid they bring in brings the same level of intensity. It grinds on you (constantly having a hand in the face),” Winslow said.

“I think we kind of wore them down,” Febach agreed.

The Braves had four in double figures —  Karl Ingram scored a season-high 27 points, followed by George Sherwood with 13 and Jeremy Grosswiler and Joe Pistorese with 10 apiece.

Ingram had a fabulous game with four rebounds, an assist and two steals.

“And he had some help, too. You’ve got to have the go-to guy who can score for you, but you also have to give him some help and we did that tonight,” Febach said.

“Of the four (in double figures), two came off the bench. That’s really good to see,” he added.

Winslow was impressed with Ingram.

“He has good balance and he’s strong. I like the way that kid plays,” he said.

Febach also complimented the second half defensive effort of Mike VanArendonk and Tanner Salois.

Cannon scored 14 in the first half, but didn’t have a field goal in the second half.

“I’ve got to credit Tanner and Mike for that,” Febach said.

Both teams are off now until Jan. 2.

And both are looking forward to the break.

“We are a work in progress,” Winslow said. “We are inexperienced, but I am pleased with some things that happened on the court. There is tremendous room for improvement.”

Libby     14     13     10     15 — 52

Flathead     14     18     22     19 — 73

Libby — T.J. Benson 3 0-0 6, Cree Maloney 1 1-2 3, Kelly May 2 4-4 10, Garrett Craig 2 3-4 9, Colton Cannon 6 4-8 18, Alex Cislo 3 0-4 6. Totals 17 12-22 52.

Flathead — Dean Stimpson 1 0-0 3, Tanner Salois 2 0-0 5, Karl Ingram 11 4-7 27, Joe Pistorese 3 3-4 10, George Sherwood 4 4-6 13, Mike VanArendonk 2 0--0 4, Jeremy Grosswiler 3 4-8 10, Connor Tice 0 1-2 1. Totals 26 16-25 73.

3-point goals: Libby 6 May 2, Craig 2, Cannon 2), Flathead 5 (Stimpson 1, Salois 1, Ingram 1, Sherwood 1), Total fouls: Libby 20, Flathead 20. Fouled out: None.