HELENA — Thanks in part to a 30-point showing by Brayden Koch, the Helena Capital Bruins steamrolled the Kalispell Flathead Braves 67-41 in Western AA boys basketball action on Thursday. At Helena High, the Bengals pulled out all of the stops to try and secure their first win of the season, but the Glacier Wolfpack held off the Bengals, 49-41.
The Flathead Braves were able to jump out to a short lead in the first quarter at 12-11 after Koch was sent to the trainer's room with a lower leg injury.
However, after Koch returned, there was no question he was out for blood. In just three quarters, Koch dropped 30 points, going 12 of 14 from the field and a perfect 6 of 6 from 3-point range.
The Wolfpack tried to keep pace with Capital, but a 10-0 run to open the second quarter for the Bruins effectively gave them all the lead they needed as they move to 4-2 on the season with the 67-41 win.
At Helena High, it was the second quarter that effectively sealed the deal for the Bengals as well, unfortunately for them it was in favor of the Glacier Wolfpack.
Down by just four points after the first quarter, the Bengals struggled from the floor in the second quarter. The Glacier Wolfpack led 27-16 at they half after Jaxson Olsen and Weston Price combined for 13 points to the Bengals' 6 to close out the half.
Olsen had a game-high 14 points.
In the second half, the Bengals did show some life as they were able to outscore the Wolfpack in both the third and fourth quarters. However, the Wolfpack were able to limit the damage and held on to win, 49-41.
Now the teams will switch and meet one another in Kalispell. The Bruins will look to close out the first half of the season at 5-2 against the Glacier Wolfpack on Saturday at 4:15 p.m., while the Helena High boys continue to search for their first win on the season when they take on the Flathead Braves on Saturday at 4 p.m.
