NLC consolation: Soldotna 61, Palmer 44

SOLDOTNA — A fitting end to a frustrating season.

All year long, the Palmer boys were hampered by an uncanny ability to fall apart in the final minutes. That trend continued in the opening round of the Northern Lights Conference tournament against Kenai, and through Saturday morning's 61-44 consolation-round loss to Soldotna.

Tied at 41-41 heading into the fourth, the Moose manged just a single field goal in the closing quarter and were outscored 20-3 down the stretch.

Soldotna senior guard Boomer Blossom exploded for 27 points, including seven in the fourth. The SoHi sharpshooter hit three 3-pointers and went 7-of-8 from the free throw line. The Stars also got 16 points from senior forward D.J. Stilchen, who provided the game's biggest highlight with a thunderous one-handed slam.

Palmer got 17 points from Kyle Titus, but 15 of those were scored in the first half and none came in the fourth. Junior forward Christian Odom added nine points, while junior forward Sean Niekamp added seven.

SOLDOTNA 61, PALMER 44

Soldotna 14 13 14 20 – 61

Palmer 9 20 12 3 – 44

SOLDOTNA (61) – Story 0 2-3 2, Blossom 9 6-7 27, Jackson 0 2-2 2, Carver 2 5-6 9, Stilchen 8 0-1 16, Smithwick 1 0-2 3, Barnes 1 0-0 2. Totals – 21 15-21 61.

PALMER (44) – Fullmer 2 0-0 5, Titus 7 1-1 17, Buresh 2 0-0 4, Bohman 0 2-7 2, Niekamp 3 1-2 7, Odom 4 0-1 9. Totals – 18 4-11 44.

3-point field goals – Soldotna 4 (Blossom 3, Smithwick), Palmer 4 (Titus 2, Fullmer, Odom). Fouled out – none. Total fouls – Soldotna 15, Palmer 17.