With a chance to force overtime, senior forward Ryan Quigley missed the second of two free throws with 0.4 seconds left, leaving the Eagles one point short after a fourth-quarter comeback.
After an emotional postgame meeting, Lakeside coach John Edwards said, “We played without fear, and these kids love each other.”
Fifth-ranked Lakeside (19-4) trailed most of the way, but never by more than five in the second half. The Eagles took a brief lead when Quigley’s pass found Dominique Watson for a layin that made it 49-47 with 1:31 to play,
But La Salle (21-3) tied the game on Conner Andringa’s two free throws with 1:07 left, and Austin Gasseling gave the Lightning the lead for good, 51-49, on a fastbreak layin at the 44-second mark.
Finally, the Eagles called timeout with 18 seconds left, and worked the ball in to Quigley, who was fouled while shooting by Andringa. Quigley made the first free throw, and LaSalle called timeout, setting up the deciding missed foul shot.
Spencer Reynolds led the Eagles with 16 points and five rebounds. Watson had 15 points.