By John Rittenhouse
A late-game run by the Hills-Beaver Creek Patriot girls gave them a 51-48 basketball victory over Murray County Central in Hills Tuesday.
After never playing with the lead through the game's first 31:44, the Patriots moved in front with 16 seconds remaining and added a pair of charity shots eight seconds later to prevail by three points.
According to Patriot coach Tom Goehle, his team did a nice job of staying with the Rebels through three quarters before H-BC's defense settled the issue late.
"We played sensational defense in the second half," he said. "MCC really took it to us early, but we managed to keep it close."
Erin Boeve, who scored 29 points and snared 11 rebounds while recording a double-double, came up big when the Patriots needed her most.
Trailing 42-36 entering the final quarter, Boeve scored 13 of the teamÕs 15 points during a 15-6 run that settled the outcome.
Boeve converted a three-point play with 16 seconds left to give H-BC its first lead at 49-48. Becky Broesder then sealed the win with a pair of free throws with eight seconds remaining.
MCC took an 18-14 lead in the first quarter and turned it into a six-point halftime advantage (34-28) by outscoring the Patriots 16-14 in the second period.
H-BC, which improved to 3-0 in the Red Rock West with the win, received a five-assist effort from Cassi Tilstra.
The 4-1 Patriots play road games against Adrian and Russell-Tyler-Ruthton tomorrow and Monday respectively.
Box score
B.Rozeboom 0 0 0-0 0, B.Olson 1 0 0-0 2, Rentschler 1 0 0-2 2, Tilstra 2 1 0-2 7, Broesder 2 0 3-4 7, S.Rozeboom 2 0 0-2 4, DeNoble 0 0 0-0 0, Boeve 12 0 5-7 29, A.Olson 0 0 0-0 0.
Team statistics
H-BC: 21 of 54 field goals (39 percent), eight of 17 free throws (47 percent), 24 rebounds.
MCC: 17 of 45 field goals (38 percent), 10 of 18 free throws (56 percent), 28 rebounds.