Russellville girls edge Rogers in OT

GIRLS RUSSELLVILLE 53, ROGERS 50, OT

ROGERS — Russellville’s girls scored the final four points in a game full of runs, and came up with a stop as time expired to defeat Rogers 53-50 on Friday in overtime.

The Mounties closed regulation on an 11-4 run, sending the game to an extra period when junior Aubrey Treadwell made a step-back three-pointer with 3.6 seconds remaining to tie the game at 49-49. After trailing for the first time since early in the third quarter, the Lady Cyclones went 4 of 4 from the free-throw line to reclaim a three-point advantage in overtime. With 4 seconds remaining, sophomore Ava Maner hit a deep three-pointer that appeared to tie things up, but was called for stepping out of bounds before catching the ball.

Maner led Rogers with 15 points, going 3 of 6 on three-pointers.

After a Russellville offensive foul on the ensuing sideline inbound, Rogers was given a second chance. But Treadwell couldn’t get a clean look for a three-pointer. Her shot was partially blocked and fell short as the horn sounded.

“This is our first overtime game, so it was good to see how our kids would respond,” Russellville Coach Jae Kell said. “I think they did a great job coming out in overtime with intensity and had a will to win. That’s what pushed us through tonight.”

Kell also said she was proud of the way her team responded to the play that sent the game into overtime.

“That was a great shot,” Kell said. “But I really had trust in our kids to push through it even after that shot, because we have unfazed kids. They don’t allow things to get them too high or too down, so I was proud to see how they responded.”

Brenna Burk and Gracie Campbell led the Lady Cyclones with 15 points each.

Despite trailing by seven points around the 3-minute mark of regulation, Rogers was able to play defense without fouling to claw back, something the addition of a shotclock heavily influenced.

“It’s big,” Rogers Coach Preston Early said. “It changes the whole end-game strategy, and it gives you a chance. I love it, and I’m glad it’s part of the game. It gave us an opportunity today.”