Basketball <\/p>\n
Gonzaga Prep<\/a> boys basketball coach Matty McIntyre insists he doesn’t have the secret tonic when it comes to playing Richland<\/a>.<\/p>\n In fact, he admits the matchup stressed him out a bit.<\/p>\n But when it comes to game day, the Bullpups seems to rise up to the eastern Washington-elite challenge – and did again Thursday night in the Class 4A District 6 championship game.<\/p>\n After blowing all of a 13-point fourth-quarter lead, the No. 5 Bullpups got a late tiebreaking three-point play from Jackson Mott to end unbeaten No. 1 Richland’s run with 65-61 victory in Spokane.<\/p>\n It was Gonaga Prep’s 16th win over the Bombers in 19 career playoff games.<\/p>\n “I never feel to great going up against Richland,” McIntyre said. “Both teams compete so well and are proud to represent eastern Washington.<\/p>\n “Tonight happened to be our night.”<\/p>\n Three 3-pointers by Mott, Carter Nilson and Hudson Floyd triggered a 14-0 Gonzaga Prep run in the second quarter as the Bullpups led 39-29 at halftime.<\/p>\n The lead grew as large as 14 points – and Gonzaga Prep held a 59-46 advantage on Mott’s layin with 6:37 remaining before the Bullpups went scoreless for the next 5:32.<\/p>\n Lance Horntvedt (game-high 20 points) and Landen Northrop sparked a Richland rally. Horntvedt’s 10-footer in the lane tied the game at 59-59 with 1:28 to go.<\/p>\n Mott made two free throws for the Bullpups, but Richland tied it one final time on Northrop’s putback basket with 44.4 seconds remaining.<\/p>\n The Bullpups went inside one more time, feeding Mott down the baseline. He banked in a layin, was fouled and completed the three-point play with 21.4 seconds to go, and the hosts led 64-61,<\/p>\n “Really a big-time shot,” McIntyre said. “No hesitation.”<\/p>\n Northrop tried tying the game one more time, but his off-balance 3-pointer from the top of the arc was off target, and Howell sealed the win with a free throw on the other end.<\/p>\n “This (win) came by the smallest of margins,” McIntyre said. “Our kids played hard. I am so proud of the way we competed.”<\/p>\n —<\/p>\n<\/div>\n