Wildcats rely on defense to down Wolfpack
<p>Columbia Falls senior Alex Pesnell (center) puts a shot up past Glacier defenders Evan Epperly (left) and Cain Boschee Thursday night during a nonconference contest at Glacier High School. </p>
After pledging to play with more intensity on defense, the visiting Columbia Falls boys (6-2 overall) found their form in the second quarter against Glacier (4-3), holding the Wolfpack to just five points in the frame, building a 15-point halftime lead that would hold up under pressure in the second half to win 65-57 in a nonconference basketball game Thursday night.
The Wildcats, who opened the game in a 2-3 zone to switch things up, held Glacier to three field goals in the final 11 minutes of the first half, outscoring the Wolfpack 25-8 over the stretch to build a 33-18 lead at halftime. The defensive intensity was a point of emphasis in preparation after a pair of lackluster performances in losses to Bigfork and Frenchtown.
“All year we haven’t had very good energy,” Columbia Falls junior guard Ty Morgan said.
“We decided if it was going to start it had to start on the defensive end with our energy. In the first half, we built that lead with energy on defense and pushing it up the court.”
Columbia Falls’ offense was bolstered at the free-throw line, where the Wildcats held a huge advantage, shooting 21 for 29 for the game.
In contrast, Glacier made it to the line just nine times. That procession allowed Columbia Falls to keep scoring, and kept Glacier in foul trouble and unable to find a rhythm.
“We’ve had success over the years starting defensively and carrying it over to our offense,” Columbia Falls coach Cary Finberg said.
“This year’s no different. Offense comes and goes. Some games you’re going to be shooting well, some games you’re not. Defense is the constant that is going to keep you in games.
“Tonight it started very well. We had a little lull there halfway through, but we did enough and made enough plays to get the win.”
Glacier found its offense in the third quarter, shooting its way back into the contest from deep. The Wolfpack, who shot just 27 percent from the field in the first half, heated up after halftime with four 3-pointers in the third.
The Wolfpack cut the lead to five points, the closest it would get in the second half, with a 3-pointer from Kyler Harkins to start the fourth quarter. Columbia Falls stretched the lead at the free-throw line, withstanding a 3-point barrage from Glacier to close the game that saw the Pack hit shots from deep on its last three possessions.
“If we have a lead at the end of the game, we have enough ball handlers and free throw shooters that we can keep the lead or extend the lead,” Finberg said. “Give Glacier credit, they hits some tough shots there at the end.”
Glacier shot 50 percent in the second half and was 53 percent from behind the arc, but didn’t have quite enough to catch up.
“The second quarter killed us,” Glacier coach Mark Harkins said.
“Credit to them. They got rolling and shot the ball well, got some steals. And we kinda fell apart. I thought the kids did a good job of regrouping in the second half and making a little bit of a run.”
Evan Epperly scored a game-high 21 points and six assists to lead Glacier. Harkins had 12 points, all on 3s.
Jared Trinastich had 18 points and 12 rebounds for Columbia Falls. Jayce Fagerland had 12 points, Morgan had 11 and Alex Presnell had 10.
The Wildcats host Whitefish (4-5) on Saturday in the first Cat-Dog rivalry game of the season.
Glacier hosts Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, on Monday.
Columbia Falls 10 23 11 21 — 65
Glacier 13 5 18 21 — 57
COLUMBIA FALLS — Alex Presnell 4-8 2-2 10, Nakia Alexander 0-1 2-4 2, Ty Morgan 2-12 7-9 11, Mason Gedlaman 0-1 2-2 2, Jared Trinastich 7-11 4-4 18, Trevor Houston 2-3 1-3 5, Jayce Fagerland 4-7 2-2 12, Grant Wallace 2-3 1-3 5. Totals: 21-47 21-29 65.
GLACIER — Evan Epperly 8-15 0-2 21, Bryan Michaels 3-12 1-2 7, Kyler Harkins 4-6 0-1 12, Tanner Olsen 3-8 2-2 9, Cain Boschee 1-2 2-2 5, Sam McCamley 1-3 0-0 3. Totals: 20-50 5-9 57.
3-pointers — Columbia Falls 2-5 (Fagerland 2), Glacier 12-26 (Epperly 5, Harkins 4). Rebounds — Columbia Falls 34 (Trinastich 12), Glacier 28 (Michaels 6). Assists — Columbia Falls 17 (Presnell 5), Glacier 15 (Epperly 6). Blocks — Columbia Falls 0, Glacier 3 (Michaels 2). Steals — Columbia Falls 6 (Trinastich 3), Glacier 6 (Harkins 3). Personal fouls — Columbia Falls 13, Glacier 24. Fouled out — Glacier, Michaels. Technical fouls — none.