C-Falls tops Corvallis 61-44, advances to state semifinals

Columbia Falls advanced to the semifinals of the Class A Boys State Basketball Tournament in Great Falls today (Thursday) with a 61-44 first-round victory over Corvallis.

The Wildcats face Browning in the semifnals at 6:30 p.m. Friday. Browning, the Central Divisional champion, opened with an 82-64 win over Laurel. In other first-round action, Billings Central slipped by Butte Central 48-42 in overtime, and Whitefish lost to Beaverhead County (Dillon), 48-42. Whitefish went into the state tournament having won 15 of their previous 16 games, including the Bulldogs'  last three in the divisional tournament after a semifinal loss to Columbia Falls. Billings Central plays Dillon at 8 p.m. Friday in the semifinals.

Trailing early 12-6, the Wildcats used their transition game for an 18-3 run to take a 24-15 lead. The margin grew to 39-20 at halftime as C-Falls outscored the Blue Devils 23-6 in the second period.

The Wildcats suffered from turnovers in the second half, but stayed comfortably in front. They converted their first 11 free throws, and finished 15-for-18 from the foul line. Teamwise, the Wildcats outrebounded Corvallis, 40-21. C-Falls unofficially had 25 turnovers — 21 in the second half.

Senior Mackey Nolan scored 17 points during the middle two quarters combined and led the Wildcats with 19. He also had seven assists. Junior Mitchell Wassam added 14 points and three assists. Austin Barth, just a freshman, pulled down eight rebounds.