Bulldogs and Hawks face off in loser-out

SANDPOINT — If there was a silver lining in the Bulldogs’ recent 53-46 loss to Lakeland it was that they struggled offensively for much of the night, yet still had a chance to tie the game late.

The stakes will be a little higher tonight, when the No. 3 seed Bulldogs (3-16) face the No. 2 Hawks (8-13) in the loser-out game of the 4A Region 1 tournament at 8 p.m. at North Idaho College.

The Bulldogs hang their hat on defense, which often keeps them in games, but had a tough time keeping the cat-quick Lakeland guards from penetrating, as Dylan Vahey, Dylan Knight and Kaden Davis combined for 38 points and set up their teammates for open looks on kickouts.

Bulldog head coach Kent Leiss said containing the trio of guards will be one of the big keys to extending the season another game, as will protecting the basketball.

“Vahey, Davis and Knight are the strength of their team. If we can limit our turnovers to 10-12 in the game we should have a chance,” said Leiss, noting his team has a good size advantage. “We would also do ourselves a favor if we crashed the offensive glass and had a major advantage in that category.”

Robbie Johnson is carrying the load offensively for the Bulldogs, dropping 57 points in the last three games, and teams with Alex Stockton to give the Bulldogs a strong rebounding presence down low.

Lakeland is a good 3-point shooting team, and the Bulldogs will need to defend the perimeter as well as knock down some of their own open looks to advance to the championship game.

The winner advances to face No. 1 seed Moscow on Thursday at North Idaho College.

Bob Witte will call the Bonners Ferry game live at 6 p.m., and the Sandpoint game at 8 on AM1400 and 105.3 FM.