Auburn Mountainview converted 9 of 11 fourth-quarter free throws and took the lead for good on Battle Ground using a mini spurt for its 57-54 come-from-behind victory in Monday’s 4A boys bi-district game play-in game at Capital High School in Olympia.
The Tigers’ loss ends their season at 10-11.
Battle Ground had a seven-point lead early in the fourth at 39-32 before the Lions made a surge, led by Talan Alfrey, who had 11 of his game-high 18 points in the fourth quarter.
BG coach Manny Melo said Auburn Mountainview’s aggressiveness at the rim in the fourth quarter — and its foul shooting — changed the momentum. The Lions finished 17 of 22 at the line.
“It really put them over the edge,” he said.
Kaden Perry led Battle Ground with 13 points and Elijah Parker added 11. Vincent McCormic and KeAndre Hunter-Holiday each had eight. Losing just one senior on a squad that was one game short of reaching the bi-district tournament since the 2013-14 season has Melo excited for what’s ahead.
