Four OT thriller

Published 12:06 am Wednesday, January 21, 2009

It took four of them, but the No. 6 Pike Liberal Lady Patriots have now won an overtime game. The Lady Patriots downed the Lady Eagles from Fort Dale Tuesday 53-45 in the fourth overtime period to extend their winning streak to four games.

“I said we needed to win a close game last night after our win over Taylor Road, but we really needed that overtime win,” PLAS head coach Steven Kilcrease said.

The Lady Patriots were 0-for-2 in previous overtime attempts, but this win could not have come at a better time, according to Kilcrease.

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“We have now won three big region games in a row,” he said. “That win puts us at 6-3 in the region and second place (behind Lee-Scott).”

Pike Liberal (10-7, 6-3 AISA Class AAA, Region 1) has not lost a game since dipping below .500 at 6-7 and 2-3 in the region. The Lady Patriots had a chance in the third overtime to seal the game, but they didn’t make the free throws and Fort Dale’s prayers were answered with a three-pointer to tie the game and send it to a fourth OT.

“I looked at the players at that point and I thought we were beat,” Kilcrease said. “They had their heads down and it was an emotional moment. But we came out aggressive on the glass and attacked the basket for the win.”

Katie Wiggins led the Lady Pats with 15 points and eight rebounds. Rebecca Farrar chipped in 13 points and Josie Griffin had 10 points in the win.

The boys also won, but a score was not available at press time.

Pike Liberal heads to Glenwood Friday.