Newman's 3 lifts Braves over Big Sky

MISSOULA — Blaine Newman scored 14 points, including a 3-pointer from the corner with two seconds remaining, to lead Flathead (4-3 overall, 1-0 Western AA) to a 45-42 basketball win at Big Sky (2-4, 0-2) on Thursday.

The Braves led by as many as 12 points in the second half and nine in the fourth quarter before the Eagles were able to make it a game. Cory Diaz scored his only field goal of the game from underneath the basket with eight seconds remaining to tie the score at 42-42.

Will Cronk also scored 14 for the Braves, who won their first conference game of the season. Matt Quist, who finished with six points, had a game-high nine rebounds.

The Braves host Missoula Sentinel (4-2, 1-0) on Saturday.

Flathead 13 10 7 15 — 45

Big Sky 5 8 11 18 — 42

FLATHEAD — Alex Croymans 0-2 0-0 0, Blaine Newman 4-9 3-4 14, Tommie Owens 1-2 0-0 2, Easton Johnson 0-1 0-0 0, Will Cronk 5-9 2-4, 14, Chandler Escalante 2-4 1-2 5, Adam Bradley 1-1 0-0 2, Trae Habel 1-2 0-2 2, Matt Quist 3-4 0-1 6. Totals 17-34 6-13 45.

BIG SKY — Brad Wakai 0-3 0-0 0, Alex Mustard 2-4 0-0 4, Stanley Underwood 1-2 0-0 2, Jesson Preston 6-15 5-7 22, Cory Diaz 1-5 2-6 4, Mike Van Canagan 0-2 0-0 0, Chris Lange 0-1 0-0 0, Colin Bingham 1-5 3-6 5, Bennett Chelini 0-1 0-0 0, Nick Simmons 2-6 0-0 5. Totals 13-44 10-19 42.

3-point goals — Flathead 5 (Newman 3), Big Sky 6 (Preston 5). Total fouls — Flathead 18, Big Sky 17. Fouled out — Flathead, Bradley. Rebounds — Flathead 26 (Quist 9), Big Sky 21 (Mustard 5, Van Canagan 5, Bingham 5).