The Issaquah Indians, in the second of back-to-back road games, had to survive a tough Mount Si defense to secure a 50-41 KingCo 3A Conference girls’ basketball victory over the Wildcats Tuesday at Mount Si High School.

The Indians were led by the game-high 20 point effort of junior Beth Knudtson.

Mount Si Coach Dirk Hansen praised his team’s effort in spite of the loss.

“The effort was 100 percent. My girls always give 100 percent. That’s one thing I never have to worry about coming in,” he said.

However, the coach also indicated that fundamental lapses by his team made the difference.

“Our problem tonight was that we turned the ball over too much – just the silly little things, the traveling. I’ve been here four years. I don’t remember ever having as many traveling calls called against my guards as tonight. That was a little bit mystifying,” he said.

Junior forward Nicci Landdeck led the Wildcats in scoring with 17, including eight in the third quarter. Freshman guard Whitney Beyerlin chipped in with three impressive three-pointers and had nine points. Senior Laura Vertatschitsch had 10 points to help pace the Indians, who are coached by former Mount Si coach, Kathy Gibson.

The game opened with a quick three-pointer by Knudtson, but the Wildcats were able to rally back and take the lead. It seemed as if it was going to be a see-saw battle the entire game, but Issaquah went on a 8-1 run to close the quarter, much of it prompted by good defense. The Indians then were able to respond to virtually every Wildcat offensive effort with one of their own, and Mount Si was never able to recover.

Hansen hopes his team has a good holiday break. “I expect my team to rest and have fun and don’t think about basketball, until we come back two days before Ellensburg to get ready for them. I want my kids to go be kids.”