Bulldogs rally past Loggers on the road

By DAVID ERICKSON / Whitefish Pilot

A close game finally swung the Bulldogs' way Saturday night in Libby, as Whitefish defeated the Loggers 70-67.

After losing four conference games this year by a combined total of nine points, the Bulldogs rallied from a 35-41 halftime deficit to score another 35 in the second half to claim a rare road victory against their Northwestern A opponents.

Whitefish is now 3-4 in the conference and 6-7 overall, clawing their way back to .500. Bulldog fans will not soon forget the late run the team made last year after a poor start, finishing strong enough to win divisionals at home.

The Loggers were missing two of their starters, but they jumped on Whitefish early, taking a 20-12 lead in the first quarter.

The Bulldogs scored 18 points in the last quarter, however, and Colt Idol went 7-for-9 from the free-throw line in the final frame.

Libby's star Jim Mee heaved a desperation 3-point attempt at the buzzer to try to tie the game, but it bounced off the rim, a rare stroke of luck for Whitefish.

"He's a good shooter, but he didn't do quite as well against us," Whitefish senior guard Shawn Watterud said of Mee. "We kept him in line."

Josh Baker, Marc Hotzfield and Jake Smith combined for 16 points off the bench.

The Bulldogs held Mee to 20 points, while Idol had a game-high 25 points. Idol went 13-for-20 from the free-throw line, while Whitefish went 19-for-31 overall.

The Libby game was the middle of a week-long road stretch for the Bulldogs. They have to travel to Eureka on Jan. 31 (tonight) to take on the Lions.

"The road games wear us down, but they're good for us," Watterud said.

The Bulldogs will play at home game against Bigfork on Feb. 8.

Whitefish 12 22 17 18 - 70

Libby 20 21 15 11 - 67

Whitefish (6-7, 3-4) - Matt Whitehead 3 0-0 8, Aaron Tkachyk 4 1-2 13, Shawn Watterud 2 0-0 5, Josh Backer 2 4-7 8, Marc Hotzfield 1 0-0 3, Colt Idol 7 13-20 25, Jake Smith 2 1-2 5. Totals 21 19-31 70.