NJCAA Region IV Div. II Women's Basketball District L

Saturday, March 3, 2018

#3   McHenry County                  12         14         12         13         13         ( 64  )    22-10

#2   South Suburban                   17         9          11         14         8          ( 59 )     18-13

McHenry tops South Suburban in overtime thriller

(Sugar Grove, IL.) –  Second-seeded South Suburban and third-seeded McHenry County College engaged in a back and forth battle, that the Scots eventually pulled out 64-59 in an overtime thriller. A three pointer by McHenry's Lacey Gardner with 0:20 left in overtime clinched the victory for the Scots. The closely contested battle featured 12 ties and 18 lead changes overall. South Suburban out rebounded McHenry 51-38 and forced 27 turnovers by the Scots. However, McHenry overcame those miscues by making 16 of 20 (80 percent) free throws in the second half alone, while holding the Bulldogs to just 3 of 20 (15 percent) from long range.

The game was tied 26-all at halftime as both teams alternately went on scoring spurts in the first 20 minutes of play. The first half saw four ties and seven lead changes alone. McHenry took a 38-37 lead heading into the final quarter. The Scots then equaled their biggest lead of the game midway through the fourth period on a three-point play by Gardner to go ahead 48-43. Clinging to a 50-49 lead in the final minute, Gardner snagged a big defensive rebound for McHenry. McKaylie Krey then made one of two free throw attempts with 0:28 remaining.

Moments later Grace Gajewski stole the ball, but lost the handle on it racing up the floor. Gajewski was then whistled for a foul, giving the Bulldogs the ball back with 0:15 left. South Suburban then called timeout with 0:07.9 to go to set up a potential game-tying shot. The Bulldogs' Angel Kidd was then fouled on a drive to the basket with just 0:00.8 left, sending her to the line with a chance to tie it. Kidd calmly sank both to knot the score at 51. After a Scots' timeout, McHenry executed a perfect inbound lob to Gardner, but her hasty shot was off the mark at the buzzer sending the game into overtime.

A three-pointer by Jasmine Glover midway through the five minute extra session put McHenry in front 60-53. Kidd then answered with a three of her own moments later, and South Suburban called their final timeout. On the Bulldog's next possession, Kidd hit another trey from deep in the corner to bring South Suburban within a point. After a McHenry free throw, South Suburban's Erica Howard was fouled on an offensive rebound sending her to the line with 0:58 left. However, Howard missed both free throws. On McHenry's ensuing possession, Gardner, the Scots' 6'0" center nailed a three-pointer from the top of the key as the shot clock wound down. 

Gardner led all scorers with 21 points for McHenry. Krey added 15 points and six assists, while Maddie Kaempf booked 13 points and pulled down nine rebounds, and Glover chipped in with 10 points and nine boards. Kidd led South Suburban with 19 points, four assists and four steals. Tammy Russell tallied 10 points and snagged nine rebounds, and Howard finished with 10 boards.

McHenry County will play for the Region IV Division II District L Championship next Saturday, March 10 at noon in Waubonsee's Erickson Hall Gymnasium. The Scots (22-10) will play top-seeded Bryant & Stratton College (23-9) from Milwaukee, an 86-77 winner over fourth-seeded Moraine Valley. All the tournament games can been seen 'live' on-line at www.GoChiefs.com/RegionIV. For more information on the tournament, go to www.GoChiefs.com.