Cats squeak out win over Broncs

Grab a big lead, then hold on for dear life. That’s how the Columbia Falls boys basketball team got its first conference victory last week, dropping Frenchtown 63-56 at home Dec. 20.

The Wildcats had an 18-point lead after the first half, and it looked like they’d cruise to victory over the Broncs. But the Cats found themselves in foul trouble in the second half, and the Broncs cut the lead to just four points late in the fourth quarter with a flurry of three-point shots.

As time wound down, however, Frenchtown was forced to foul to get the ball back, and Ty Morgan went 5 for 6 from the charity stripe to seal the victory.

Frenchtown matched up well with the Cats in size and might have won the game, but they had 24 turnovers and were awful from the charity stripe. They hit just seven free throws, while Columbia Falls dropped 22.

Coach Cary Finberg said he was pleased with some aspects of the game, but notes the team is playing inconsistent.

Morgan led the Cats in scoring with 16. Grant Wallace had 13 but ran into foul trouble again, spending too much time on the bench.

The Cats other big man, Grant Stenger, also fouled out, but the Cats got a much needed spark from Logan Williams, who scored 12 off the bench.

The foul trouble by the team’s big men is something they need to work on.

“They need to stay in the game,” Finberg said. “They had some silly fouls.”

They also need to rebound better. The Broncs out-rebounded the Cats 43-29 and had 18 offensive boards.

On the plus side, Trevor Houston and Morgan had four assists apiece and Jayce Fagerland tallied six steals.

The Wildcats go on Christmas break for a few days and then hit the hardwood at home Jan. 2 in a nonconference game against Eureka.

Game time is 5:30 p.m.

Frenchtown 7 10 20 19 — 56

Columbia Falls 18 17 15 13 — 63

FRENCHTOWN — Jacob Price 4, Chris Delaney 4, Bridger Truett 28, Austin Means 10, Robert Jones 3, Andrew King 7.

COLUMBIA FALLS — Trevor Houston 5, Grant Stenger 7, Jayce Fagerland 6, Tyler Murphy 4, Ty Morgan 16, Logan Williams 12, Grant Wallace 13.