Dialing long distance: Pirates use 3-ball to upset top-ranked Co-Falls, 59-52 (VIDEO)
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The Pirates look to be hitting their stride late in the season as Polson picked up a huge win over top-ranked Columbia Falls Saturday just one day after downing rival Ronan for the second time this season.
The Pirates used the outside game to take down the visiting No. 1 Wildcats Saturday, connecting on 10 triples in a 59-52 victory. Sheldon Fisher and Louis Mohr combined to hit seven of those 10 long-range shots as Fisher hit four and Mohr added three.
Columbia Falls had its offense clicking early as the Wildcats grabbed a 17-15 lead after eight minutes of play. The Pirates started connecting from long distance in the second frame as Fischer put in a pair of threes and Mohr, Kyle Bagnell and Cody Fischer added another to help Polson build a 31-25 halftime advantage.
The third quarter belonged to the Pirates as Polson used a 13-5 run to build a 44-30 lead heading into the final eight minutes of play.
The Pirates pushed their lead to 16 early in the fourth quarter but the Wildcats were far from finished. Columbia Falls turned up the defense to get back into the game as the Wildcats went on a 18-7 run to cut the Polson lead to 53-48 with 1:52 to play. Back-to-back steals by Fisher and a layup by Zach Camel helped the Pirates put an end to the Wildcat run as Polson held on to pick up a 59-52 victory.
Mohr led the Pirates in the win with 18 points and eight rebounds while Fisher added 13 points, five assists and five steals. Tyler Krell chipped in with 10 points and four rebounds while Bagnell had nine points.
The Pirates also picked up a win Friday as they traveled to face rival Ronan.
Ronan jumped out to a quick 8-2 lead but the Pirates answered quickly to tie the game at 11 midway through the opening quarter.
Polson led by as many as 13 in the second quarter before settling for a 39-29 halftime advantage.
Ronan cut the lead to three early in the opening moments of the third quarter but Polson bounced back and held on to win by 10.
Mohr led the way for the Pirates with 19 points and seven rebounds while Krell added 11 points and 12 rebounds. Bagnell was also in double figures with 11 points, as was Fisher with 10.
With the wins, the Pirates take over first place in the Northwest A Conference with a league record of 5-1 and an overall record of 11-4.
The Lady Pirates split a pair of games this week as Polson picked up a 49-14 win at Ronan Friday before falling at Columbia Falls Saturday, 45-40.
The Lady Pirates had little trouble at Ronan Friday as Polson jumped out to a 23-10 halftime lead before outscoring the Maidens 26-4 in the second half to pull away for a big win.
Breanne Kelley led the way for Polson in the win with 16 points while Riley Kenney added 11.
The Lady Pirates found themselves in a much tougher game at Columbia Falls Saturday as Polson found itself down 12-8 after eight minutes of play. Polson battled back with a 17-12 run in the second quarter to grab a 25-24 halftime lead but the Wildkats outscored the Lady Pirates 21-15 in the second half to get the win.
Kenney led Polson in the loss with 13 points while Heidi Rausch scored nine and Nina Orozco-Charlo added eight.
The Lady Pirates will be in action Thursday at Eureka while the Pirates will play at home. Both teams are at home Saturday as they host Libby.
Summary
Pirates 59, Columbia Falls 52
Col. Falls 17 8 5 22 - 52
Polson 15 16 13 15 - 59
COLUMBIA FALLS - Devyn Rocker 6, Nick Emerson 15, Chris King 11, Parker Johnson 7, Austin Barth 4, Kaleb Johnson 9.
POLSON - Tyler Krell 10, Kyle Bagnell 9, Zach Camel 4, Sheldon Fisher 13, Cody Fischer 5, Louis Mohr 18.
Pirates 69, Ronan 59
Polson 20 19 13 17 - 69
Ronan 15 14 14 16 - 59
POLSON - Tyler Krell 11, Kyle Bagnell 14, Louis Mohr 19, Sheldon Fisher 11, Vince DiGiallonardo 6, Zach Camel 4, Cody Fischer 4.
RONAN - Jarod Tanner 10, Lucas Black 7, Justin Dustybull 5, Kevin Wroblewski 11, Marcus Hungerford 11, Jackson Jore 5, Brady Oakland 8, Chris Clary 2.
Columbia Falls 45, Lady Pirates 40
Polson 8 17 6 9 - 40
Col. Falls 12 12 11 10 - 45
POLSON - Nina Orozco-Charlo 8, Mariah Hamel 2, Breanne Kelley 4, Riley Kenney 13, Jonna Grant 4, Heidi Rausch 9.
COLUMBIA FALLS - Kayla Stratton 5, Dani Gilley 1, Kayla DeWit 23, Allie Lampman 2, Hope Burlage 4, Jonna Werner 8, Shaun Rowe 2.
Lady Pirates 49, Ronan 14
Polson 12 11 14 12 - 49
Ronan 4 6 4 0 - 14
POLSON - Mariah Hamel 4, Breanne Kelley 16, Riley Kenney 11, Jonna Grant 6, Nina Orozco-Charlo 4, Jordan Quinn 2, Heidi Rausch 6.
RONAN - Marissa McCrea 2, Courtney Clairmont 2, Alice VanGunten 2, Tailyr Irvine 6, Trinity Rosenbaum 2.
