MISSOULA – The second crosstown clash of the basketball season in Missoula belonged to the Spartans, and it wasn’t close.
Missoula Sentinel dominated a rivalry doubleheader at Missoula Big Sky on Thursday evening. The Spartan boys won, 82-39. Sentinel’s girls wrapped up the night with a 57-27 victory over the Eagles.
The blowout started early in the boys game. Sentinel jumped quickly to a 9-0 lead and held a 27-8 advantage at the end of the first quarter. The Spartans remained red hot from the 3-point line in the second quarter, and a huge Scott Malikie dunk in transition gave the Spartans a 50-21 lead at halftime.
Big Sky never made a run in the second half, and the final few minutes counted down quickly with a running clock after Sentinel extended the lead past 40 points.
The girls matchup later in the evening started much closer. Big Sky got out to a quick lead and held the advantage for most of the first quarter. But Sentinel came back to lead 12-10 after the first eight minutes, and the Spartans dominated the second quarter, extending the lead to 28-14 at halftime.
Sentinel continued the momentum throughout the second half on its way to the 30-point win.
Another Missoula crosstown rivalry tips off on Saturday. Sentinel will host Missoula Hellgate, with the boys starting the doubleheader at 5:30.
