KELSEYVILLE — A strong first half wasn't enough for the Kelseyville Knights, 59-50 losers to the St. Helena Saints in North Central League I varsity boys basketball action Friday night in Kelseyville.

While the Knights (7-6 league, 11-11 overall) went into halftime feeling pretty good about themselves with a 32-27 lead, they struggled the rest of the game at both ends of the floor.

"We just weren't in sync defensively tonight, which is weird for us," Kelseyville head coach Oscar Lopez said.

St. Helena's size inside hurt Kelseyville during an 18-9 third quarter that pushed the Saints in front 45-41, and their free-throw shooting in the fourth quarter kept them in front.

"We kept fouling and they made their free throws," Lopez said of the Saints. "I think we just ran out of legs."

Luke Watkins (23 points) had a big first half for the Knights, hitting three of his four 3-pointers in the first quarter.

"He got off to a hot start, but he kind of went cold in the second half," Lopez said.

Jake Keithly had 11 points for Kelseyville.

The Knights close out their league and regular-season schedule at home Saturday against Middletown (11-1, 19-3) in a game that has meaning for both teams, but especially the visiting Mustangs, who need a victory in their league finale to secure at least a share of the league title. Kelseyville is hoping to land an at-large berth in next week's North Coast Section Division 4 playoffs and a win against Middletown would help their cause.

"We'll try to go play spoiler and end league on a good note," Lopez said. "If we get that one we might be able to get in (to the playoffs). Right now we're on the outside looking in."

Fort Bragg also won the junior varsity game, 54-44. Ryder Leary sank five 3-pointers and scored a team-best 19 points for Kelseyville.

In other boys action Friday:

Fort Bragg 59, Lower Lake 40

At Fort Bragg, the Fort Bragg Timberwolves wrapped up their season with a win over the Lower Lake Trojans, who still have one game left, that Saturday at home against Roseland University Prep.

Lower Lake fell to 1-12 in league and 1-20 overall.

No other game details were reported.

Lower Lake won the JV game 68-50.