(Atlantic) — Ellie Borns hit a three-point basket with 1.7 seconds remaining to lift Lewis Central past Atlantic 48-46 in a Hawkeye Ten Conference girls’ basketball game Friday night in Atlantic.
Lewis Central led 11-10 after the first quarter, then broke the game open in the second by outscoring the Trojans 18-7 to take a 29-17 halftime advantage. Three-point shooting fueled the surge, as Makenzie and Macie Vetter each knocked down two from beyond the arc and Borns added another.
Both teams scored eight points in the third quarter, with the Titans maintaining a 37-25 lead. Lewis Central extended the margin to 41-27 early in the fourth quarter before Atlantic mounted a comeback.
Jillian Saathoff sparked the rally with a three-pointer to make it 41-30, igniting a 16-2 run. Freshman Madison McLaren scored two baskets during the stretch, while Makenna Schroeder, Zoey Kirchhoff, and Saathoff each connected from three-point range. Saathoff’s second three tied the game at 43-43.
Lewis Central regained the lead at 45-43, but Atlantic answered when Kirchhoff buried a three-pointer with nine seconds remaining to give the Trojans a 46-45 edge.
The Titans advanced the ball the length of the court, and Borns connected from the right baseline with 1.7 seconds left to put Lewis Central back in front, 48-46. Atlantic’s final half-court attempt missed, allowing the Titans to escape with the win.
Atlantic Head Coach Dan Vargason says they need to figure out how to get off to a better start offensively. Despite the loss, he did not fault his team’s effort.
Coach Vargason’s comments on Jillian Saathoff’s effort in the contest.
Borns led the Titans with 18 points, Macie Vetter, 10, MaKenzie Vetter, Claire Miller, and Madision Johnette each accounted for six points, and Jacie Young chipped in 2.
Jillian Saathoff led the Trojans with eleven points, including three from behind the arc. Zoey Kirchhoff scored 10, Katrina Williams scored 9. Madison McLaren, 8, Kaitlyn Hickman, 2, and Peyton McLaren contributed one point.
Atlantic (4-4) travels to Nodaway Valley for a non-conference game on Monday. Lewis Central (2-5) plays Bellevue East at the Mid-America Center on Saturday.
