Polson falls to Laurel

BOZEMAN - Polson made a run at it, but couldn't get by Laurel in the consolation semi-finals, losing to the Locomotives 62-54 on Saturday morning at the Class A boys' basketball state tournament MSU in Bozeman. Senior Louis Mohr and junior Tyler Krell combined for 47 points but Polson couldn't overcome the hump in the fourth quarter.

Laurel jumped out to an early 16-6 lead in the first quarter. Polson started to work the ball inside to Krell and Mohr heated up in the second, turning a 24-10 deficit in the second quarter to just trailing 26-19 at halftime.

In the third quarter it was all Louis Mohr. Other than a jumper by junior Vince DiGiallonardo, Mohr scored nearly all of the Pirates points - notching 13 on their 15 - and keeping Polson in it, trailing the Locomotives 42-34.

Mohr finished the game with 27 points after scoring 33 against Billings Central yesterday.

In the fourth, Polson made its move, going inside the Krell again. The junior scored 13 points in the fourth quarter and the Pirates pulled within 45-40 at the beginning of the period, but Laurel was able to get to the free throw line and pull away.

Krell finished the game with 20 points.

The Locomotives last ten points were from the charity stripe. Polson trailed just 52-49 with 2:26 to go in the game but couldn't get the momentum turning shot.

Laurel 62, Polson 54
Polson - 6 - 13 - 15 - 20 - 54
Laurel - 16 - 10 - 16 - 10 - 62

Pirates scoring - Louis Mohr 27, Tyler Krell 20, Kyle Bagnell 5, Vince DiGiallonardo 2

Here are some photos from the game...