Down by four with less than two minutes left in the game, the Burns boys basketball team rallied for a 43-39 win over Imbler on Saturday, Jan. 16, at Burns High School.

Ty Hueckman hit a 3-pointer to bring the Hilanders to within 38-37 with 1:45 left to play, and a traveling call against the Panthers gave the ball back to Burns, with a chance to take the lead.

Trace Tiller drew a foul with 45 seconds left, and sank both free throws to put Burns up by one.

Burns forced a turnover, and Tiller was fouled as he made the lay-up, resulting in a three-point play and a 42-38 Hilander lead.

Imbler had a chance to cut into the lead, but missed three of four free throws in the final 30 seconds, and Tiller sealed the win with a free throw with just nine seconds on the clock.

The game was a grinder from the start, with both teams struggling on the offensive end. Burns led 7-4 at the end of the first quarter, but Imbler started finding the basket in the second quarter, and led 17-15 at halftime.

The Panthers outscored Burns 11-7 in the third quarter, and took a 28-22 lead into the final period.

Tiller led the Hilanders with 19 points, including all seven in the third quarter, and Hueckman finished with 11. Scott Davies added nine, and Ty Wayne Reid rounded out the scoring with four.

With the win, the Hilanders took over sole possession of first place in the Wapiti League with a 5-0 record, while Imbler dropped to 3-2 in league play.

•••

On Friday, Jan. 15, the Hilanders handed Union their first league loss by a score of 43-40.

Union is in second place in the league standings with a 4-1 mark.