Bulldogs unable to hold off Kellogg in thriller
Arie VanDenBerg attempts a 3-pointer over the outstretched arm of a Coeur d'Alene defender on Thursday.
(Photo courtesy of JASON DUCHOW PHOTOGRAPHY)
KELLOGG — After leading for almost the entire game, Sandpoint boys basketball allowed Kellogg to complete a fourth-quarter comeback on Saturday and in double overtime the Wildcats downed the Bulldogs 76-73.
It was a crushing loss for a Sandpoint team that looked poised to end a five-game losing streak.
The Bulldogs had their chances to close out the game — including at the end of regulation — but were unable to get it done.
"We just had too many fouls," interim head coach Mike Roos said. "I just focus on what we did down the stretch and it was very frustrating."
Kellogg outscored SHS 20-11 in the fourth quarter to force overtime with the game knotted at 63-63.
In the first overtime, the Wildcats opened the frame by knocking down a 3-pointer to grab their first lead of the night at 66-63.
Kellogg held on to that advantage until Arie VanDenBerg drilled a clutch 3-pointer with under a minute left to tie the game at 70-70.
Then Darren Bailey knocked down a pair of nerve-racking free throws with 5.3 seconds left to force double overtime with the score at 72-72.
Both teams struggled offensively in the second overtime and the Bulldogs played almost the entire period without starters Colin Roos, Parker Pettit and Randy Lane, who had fouled out. Kellogg scored all four of its points in double overtime at the free-throw line to complete the thrilling comeback victory.
"We just can't let them score that many points," Mike Roos said.
The Bulldogs made up for their offensive struggles the past two games by shooting the lights out early in the first quarter. SHS hit its first five shots and eight players scored for Sandpoint in the opening quarter.
Bailey led the team with 18 points and five rebounds on Saturday. Bailey hit five 3-pointers in the game. VanDenBerg also had a big day from beyond the arc, knocking down four 3-pointers. He finished with 16 points and seven rebounds.
Roos scored 12, Rusty Lee added eight and Pettit tallied seven points and six assists.
Sandpoint (4-12) hosts Post Falls at 7 p.m. Wednesday hoping to end a six-game losing streak.
Sandpoint 20 13 19 11 9 1 — 73
Kellogg 12 12 19 20 9 4 — 76
SANDPOINT — Roos 12, Pettit 7, Frank 2, R. Lee 8, Eldridge 2, VanDenBerg 16, Bailey 18, S. Lee 2, Lane 0, Butler 6.
KELLOGG — Miller 0, R. Luna 24, K. Luna 18, Mclean 0, Groves 4, Frohlich 7, Jerome 21, Lonn 2.