Moose survive

WASILLA -- The Palmer Moose tested their survival skills on Tuesday.

Palmer survived a 20-6 Wasilla run in the third quarter, and 14 points in the second half from Warrior freshman point guard Jesse Bean, to hold on and defeat its crosstown rival 50-46 at Wasilla High School.

"It was the tale of two halves," Palmer head coach Brandon Blake said. "We expected them to fold in the second half, and they didn't."

Palmer led 31-13 after the first two quarters and looked in absolute control. Wasilla, converting just six shots from the floor in the first half, opened the second half with a 17-4 run.

Matt Crane scored six early points and Bean began to burn the Moose. Jesse "James" Bean proved he was a shooter and robbed Palmer's chance of a blowout by hitting a trio of treys during the Warrior run.

"Bean had an unbelievable game," Blake said. "He literally led his team back -- made the big plays."

Bean continued his heroics late in the fourth quarter, hitting a pair of free throws to give Wasilla a 46-45 advantage, its first lead of the game, with 1 minute and 58 seconds left.

But another Jesse, Palmer's 6-foot, 7-inch senior forward Jesse Prins, squashed the Warriors comeback bid with a long three-pointer from the left side of the arc. The Prins shot gave the Moose a 48-46 lead. Kurtis Devon and Stanley Ratcliff hit free throws down the stretch to seal the win for the Moose.

The Warriors' valiant effort in the second half aside, the first half struggles of Wasilla lingered in head coach Jason Marvel's mind.

"It seems to be our thing this whole year," Marvel said. "People say great job in the second half or great job in the third, but when is it going to be the entire game?

"You can blame it on youth and inexperience, but you can only blame it on that for so long."

Palmer improved its record to 12-3 overall and 6-0 in Region III play. The Moose stand at the top of the eight-team conference.

Wasilla is now 5-10 overall and 2-2 in region play. The Warriors sit in third place in the northern division, one game ahead of Kodiak.

Ratcliff led all scorers in the contest with 21 points. He also pulled down 11 rebounds. Devon also posted a double-double with 13 points and 10 boards.

Bean and Crane each scored 14 points.