The Tri-Valley Mustang girls basketball team started their season with a dramatic, come-from-behind win in overtime against the Garretson Blue Dragons on Tuesday, December 5th. After trailing by 15 points at halftime, the Mustangs rallied for a 54-53 victory.
Garretson got off to a quick start and built a 23-11 lead by the end of the first quarter. They extended that lead to 33-18 by halftime. The Mustangs made some defensive adjustments at halftime, and then held the Blue Dragons to just four points in the third quarter. That defensive hold helped the them pull within a point, 37-36, heading into the final quarter.
Tri-Valley was able to get the game tied in the fourth quarter. The Mustangs had a chance to win the game in regulation with a good look at a last-second shot, but the shot fell away no good. The score remained tied 46-46 at the end of four quarters. Tri-Valley scored the first four points of overtime for a 50-46 lead. The Blue Dragons went on a 7-2 run and took the lead 53-52 with under a minute to play. Lauren Grinde drove the ball to the hoop and attempted a layup in the closing seconds. The shot was no good, but a foul was called sending her to the free throw line. Grinde calmly made both free throws with final seconds to give Tri-Valley a 54-53 victory.
The Mustangs shot 40% (19-48) from the field overall, 35% (7-20) from three-point area, and 56% (9-16) from the free-throw line. Garretson finished 42% (20-48) from the field, 44% (8-18) from three-point area, and 71% (5-7) from the free-throw line.
Grinde finished with 19 points and seven rebounds. Mattie Huwe had 10 points, four rebounds, three assists, and three steals. Hailey Sorenson had eight points, and Elizabeth Davey had two big three-point shots in the fourth quarter for six points.
