MALTA — The semifinal round at the Northern B boys divisional basketball tournament produced two close games. In the end, Poplar and Fairview advanced and will square off for the championship on Saturday.
Poplar's 3-point shooting was a huge factor in its 71-66 semifinal victory over Glasgow. Fairview, meanwhile, rallied from nine points down in the third quarter for a 54-51 win over Malta.
Poplar 71, Glasgow 66
Delray Lilley's hot hand helped Poplar beat Glasgow and move into the title game of the Northern B boys divisional basketball tournament.
Lilley hit six 3-pointers and finished with 29 points Friday in a 71-66 victory over the Scotties as the Indians advanced to Saturday's championship round. The Indians did damage from beyond the arc as a team, making 12 3s overall in the game.
Geordy Medicine Cloud, Kaniel Ricker and Walker Burshia combined for 33 points — they each scored 11 — to propel Poplar.
Glasgow, which will fell into the loser-out bracket Saturday, got 21 points from Wyatt Babb and 18 from Cade Hudyma. Toryn Richards chipped in 12 points for the Scotties, who couldn't keep pace from 3-point range and made just four shots from beyond the arc.
Fairview 54, Malta 51
Fairview also won a close game to advance to the title game, winning 54-51 over Malta in Friday's second semifinal.
Jeff Tjelde scored 17 points and Lander Thompson added 16 as the Worries set up a championship clash with Poplar. Deacon Gackle scored 12 points for Fairview.
The Warriors trailed 28-19 at halftime but outscored Malta by eight points in the third quarter to set up a tight final eight minutes. Gackle's scored six points all on field goals in the fourth quarter to help propel Fairview.
Treyton Wilkie scored a team-high 17 points for Malta, including seven in the fourth as the Mustangs tried to keep pace. Bohdi Brenden had 12 points for Malta, which slipped into loser-out action Saturday.
Friday loser-out scores
Fairfield 64, Shelby 52
Chinook 83, Cut Bank 66
