The Lakeland Hawks battled through a slow start and pulled away in dominant fashion Tuesday night, defeating the Moscow Bears 58-37 in a statement win.
The Hawks struggled to find their rhythm early, as Moscow’s defense disrupted passing lanes and forced tough shots in the opening quarter. Lakeland trailed briefly and looked out of sync on the offensive end.
However, strong defensive adjustments and improved ball movement began to shift momentum late in the first half. By halftime, the Hawks had settled in and started to take control.
In the second half, Lakeland turned up the intensity. Their defensive pressure created turnovers that led to transition points, and the offense began clicking. Senior Austin Hocking led the charge, finishing with a team-high 15 points and adding four rebounds.
Hocking’s ability to attack the basket and knock down key shots helped spark the Hawks’ scoring run that put the game out of reach.
“Shoot the ball, and just keep shooting, treat the misses and makes the same” Hocking said.
Peyton Hillman delivered an all-around performance, contributing 13 points, nine rebounds, and five assists. Hillman was a steady presence on both ends of the floor, controlling the glass and facilitating the offense.
His court vision and unselfish play allowed Lakeland to find high-percentage shots as they steadily built their lead.
As the fourth quarter progressed, the Hawks’ defense continued to clamp down, limiting Moscow’s scoring opportunities and sealing the 21-point victory. What began as a sluggish start turned into a complete team performance, showcasing Lakeland’s resilience and depth.
With the win, the Hawks now shift their focus to a big matchup against division rival Sandpoint.
The upcoming game promises high intensity and playoff-like energy as Lakeland looks to carry its momentum forward and continue climbing in the standings.
