BILLINGS – Colter Miller and Micaiah Hauser combined for 48 points, and Three Forks shot 55.3 percent from the field to defeat Lodge Grass 69-56 in the Southern B boys basketball divisional championship game Saturday night at Rimrock Auto Arena.
Three Forks led 28-22 after a tight first half, but started to get much easier looks against the Indians’ press in the third quarter. The Wolves were 13 of 21 from the field and only committed six turnovers in the final 16 minutes.
Lodge Grass got within three multiple times in the third quarter, but never could tie or take the lead.
Hauser led everyone with 25 points on 7-of-13 shooting and 9 of 9 at the free throw line. Miller scored 23 on 10-of-14 shooting and grabbed eight rebounds. Guard Payden Lynn did not play after suffering a foot injury in Friday’s semifinals.
Mylon Blacksmith led Lodge Grass with 14 points, while Ethan Dust added 13 and seven rebounds.
Three Forks will be the No. 1 seed from the South at the State B tournament March 8-10 in Missoula. Lodge Grass will be the No. 2 seed.
Colstrip and Joliet will also represent the South after winning loser-out games earlier Saturday. Joliet outlasted Roundup 39-38, while Colstrip eliminated Big Timber 59-50. The Colts then topped Joliet 52-36 in the consolation final to claim the No. 3 seed.
