NEW PALESTINE — The New Palestine Dragons are still searching for that one complete game this season.
It wasn’t in the cards on Friday night against Hoosier Heritage Conference rival Pendleton Heights, but the Dragons had just enough to win 55-53 in overtime.
“It was a really good win, especially because we lost the lead and we were able to fight back,” New Palestine senior Michaela Jones said. “We pulled it out in the end, so it was really good for us as a team as we get closer to the postseason.”
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The Dragons (13-6, 6-1 HHC) were much shorter than the Arabians (8-9, 4-3 HHC), but their unified effort helped them survive after both teams stood tied 16-16 after the first quarter.
A solid 10-4 run by the Dragons in the second quarter gave them an 11-point advantage by halftime, 33-22, but the Arabians three double-digit scorers applied the pressure.
Aubree Dwiggins finished with 20 points with 14 in the second half and grabbed seven rebounds, while Megan Mills added 15 points and seven rebounds. The duo stands at 5-foot-11 and 5-10, respectively, and the utilized their size to go on an 8-0 run to open the second half.
The Arabians converted 16 of 19 free throws, including 10 in the second half to take the lead 43-41 with 5:33 left in regulation.
“We lost some focus and made some mental errors that we need to clean up. Some of it is being young. Some of it is being inexperienced and sometimes it just happens,” New Palestine head coach Sarah Gizzi said. “We know that, so we understand a free throw at the end of the game isn’t the same as one at practice. But we kept it together enough to win, so that was a positive.”
The Dragons were 10 of 19 from the foul line and missed several crucial attempts in the final 1:31 before a 3-pointer by Morgan Martin tied the game at 51-51 with 49 seconds remaining.
In overtime, the Arabians went silent with the exception of a Dwiggins bucket, while the Dragons turned to Isabella Gizzi, who buried 4 of 6 free throws and Jordan Reid sealed the game with a clutch rebound off a Mills missed shot on the final possession.
Reid scored a team-high 17 points. Isabella Gizzi had 14 points on 4 of 10 shooting and 6 of 9 from the foul line. Reid shot 8 of 15 from the field.
“Jordan is who we rely on in those situations to really step up. The other girls did a nice job, too,” Sarah Gizzi said. “We’ve done it a few times where I’ve felt like we’ve escaped with that one. As the season goes on, I wonder it that’s our identity. We have to go with it.”
