The Lake Washington boys basketball team avenged a regular-season loss to Garfield during the 4A KingCo playoffs Friday at Juanita High School. The Kangs beat the Bulldogs 77-72 to knock Garifeld from the league tournament’s championship race.

The Kangs fell behind early, trailing by two after the first eight minutes of play. The game continued to stay close through the second quarter, but Lake Washington regained the lead by half time, 40-38. But a big third quarter for the Kangs proved to be the difference. Behind the play of Matt Staudacher, who scored a season high 26 points during the contest, Lake Washington ran out head of the Bulldogs by nine. Garfield made a run at tying the game during the fourth quarter, reducing the lead to just one possession, but Lake Washington held on for the win. Staudacher’s point total was 16 better than his average through the regular season and teammate Alex Hougton added 12 points.

The win avenges a big loss late last month to Garfield, 66-60, at Lake Washington High School.