CConference

CATHOLIC 59, INDIAN CREEK 56: At various times late in Sunday’s IAAM C Conference championship game, Catholic’s chances at a second title seemedto be slipping away.

After leading for the first three and a half quarters, Catholic watchedIndianCreekfight back to take the lead and the momentum. Despite not hitting a field goal for the final five minutes of regulation, the Cubs hit some key free throws down the stretch to force overtime.

Catholic fell behind four seconds into the extra session, but took the lead 25 seconds later and went on to win the championship, 59-56, over Indian Creek.

Catholic (13-9) won its first conference title since 2002 and spoiled Indian Creek’s chance at a second title in three years.

“Certainly they came out and just dug in,” said Catholic coach Jim Stromberg, who became the first coach to win championships at each level of the IAAM. “This was my first year with this group, and they really bought in.”

Junior forward Madison Liggett scored 18 points to lead Catholic, which scored the game’s first eight points and led by as many as 13 in the first half. She hit a pair of key free throws late in regulation and scored down low 30 seconds into overtime to put the Cubs up for good.

“We just didn’t let it get to our head and played our game,” she said. “We just had to run our offense and do what we do best.”

Maddy Evans concluded her stellar Indian Creek career by leading the Eagles with 24 points and eight rebounds. Her three-point play with three minutes left in regulation gave Indian Creek its first lead of the game.