Photo taken and used with permission by Tammy Chamley
A last-second, game-tying three-point attempt by Madala Hanson fell off the back side of the rim and no good against Centerville on Thursday, February 16th. The Tornadoes held off the Cardinals (15-5) for a 64-61 win.
St Mary got behind early in the game. Centerville led 17-11 at the end of the first quarter. The Cardinals got within four points, 32-28, with 1:00 to play in the second quarter, but the Tornadoes scored the final four points and led 36-28 at halftime. The third quarter belonged to Centerville. The Tornadoes led 55-37 until Hanson made a layup right before the buzzer to make the score 55-39 going into the fourth quarter.
The Cardinals made a ferocious comeback in the fourth quarter. They got within 10 points, 61-51, :45 left in the game. Struggles from the free-throw line by the Tornadoes nearly let St Mary make an almost improbable comeback. Hanson made a three-point shot from the top of the key, and was fouled during the shot, with :13 left. She made the free throw to pull St Mary within three points, 64-61. Centerville missed two free throws, and Sydney Klein grabbed the rebound with :07 to go. Hanson launched the last second shot from the right wing, but it fell off the back side of the rim.
Rebounding and three-point shooting seemed to be the difference in the game. The Cardinals were just 30% (6-20) on their three-point attempts, while the Tornadoes finished 63% (14-22) on three-point shots. Centerville also out-rebounded St Mary 36-23 in the game. St Mary shot 44% (22-50) overall and 58% (11-19) from the free-throw line. Centerville was 48% (22-46) shooting overall and 25% (6-24) from the free-throw line.
Ella Griffin had 15 points, two rebounds, and two steals. Hanson finished with 13 points and four assists. Klein had nine points, 11 rebounds, and three assists. Whitney Warwick also had nine points. Addison Libis ended with six points and three rebounds. Brianna Griffin had five points and five rebounds. Maya Heinitz had four points.
