BILLINGS – In a game that featured 10 ties and 16 lead changes, Colstrip outlasted Townsend 54-51 in a wild double-overtime thriller at the Southern B girls basketball divisional tournament at Rimrock Auto Arena.
Neither team led by more than four points at any point in the game. Sossity Spotted Wolf put Colstrip up 39-36 after a made free throw with 12 seconds to play. Townsend drove the ball down the right side and found Denika Dolan, who hit a tying 3-pointer with 6.5 seconds left. Colstrip couldn’t get a shot off, sending the game into overtime.
It was the Fillies’ turn for heroics in the first OT. Townsend took a three-point lead with 20 seconds left, when Colstrip’s Kya Egan hit a 3 to tie it at 47 with 11.6 seconds left. Colstrip then stole the ensuing inbounds pass, but again couldn’t get a potential game-winning shot off.
The two teams traded baskets in double overtime. Tavia Rooney, who led Townsend with 13 points and 12 rebounds, scored with 30 seconds to play to give the Bulldogs a 51-50 lead. Egan then responded with a basket, putting the Fillies up 52-51 with 11.6 seconds on the clock.
Rooney was fouled on Townsend’s ensuing possession, but missed both free throws. Spotted Wolf was then fouled and made her first free throw to put Colstrip up 53-51. She missed the second, and after Townsend rebounded the ball, Spotted Wolf was called for a blocking foul at mid-court with two second left.
Catie Watson missed the first free throw, and then Townsend was called for a lane violation on the second. Colstrip’s Jessi Jordan was fouled with one second left, and made one of two free throws to seal the win.
The teams combined for 70 free throw attempts, though neither shot well. Townsend finished 21 of 39 (53.8 percent) while Colstrip shot 15 of 31 (48.4 percent). There were also 49 combined turnovers.
Spotted Wolf led Colstrip with 19 points, while Shelby Jordan added a double-double with 13 and 10 rebounds.
JEFFERSON 43, Red Lodge 39
Jefferson scored 15 of the final 17 points to stun Red Lodge 43-39 in the second Southern B girls opening-round game.
The Rams led 37-28 with 2:30 to play, but Jefferson scored eight points in less than 45 seconds to pull within one. Ellie Evertz then gave the Panthers the lead moments later on a lay-up from an out-of-bounds play.
Red Lodge had multiple possessions to tie or take the lead in the final 1:30, but never was able to even attempt a shot. The Rams finished with 21 turnovers.
Aubrey McMaster led Jefferson with 19 points, including clutch free throws to extend the lead down the stretch. She finished 6 of 6 from the line.
Zoe Cortner led Red Lodge with 17.
UP Next: Colstrip and Jefferson will play in a semifinal game at 6:30 p.m. on Friday night. Townsend and Red Lodge play in loser-out action at noon on Friday.
