Hot fourth quarter lifts Kaneland to win over Burlington Central

The Kaneland girls basketball team picked a great time to play one of its best fourth quarters of the season Saturday.

The Knights shot 70 percent in the final quarter to erase a 7-point deficit and rallied past host Burlington Central, 42-38, in nonconference action at Central.

"They were trusting one another. They were looking for each," Knights coach Ernie Colombe said about the fourth quarter. "When people had to step up tonight and hit a shot, they did."

Kaneland (5-14) trailed 32-25 entering the fourth after the Rockets (11-6) outscored the Knights 19-6 in the third thanks to their defense. Central forced 6 turnovers and held Kaneland to 3 of 14 shooting.

McKinzie Mangers started the Knights' comeback with a 3-pointer with 6:39 left in the fourth to cut the deficit to 32-28. About a minute later, Mallory Carlson grabbed an offensive rebound and scored to make it a 2-point game, 32-30. Nicki Ott tied the game, 42-42, with a basket inside with 4:51 remaining.

Emily Heimerdinger gave Kaneland a 40-35 lead with jumper off the glass with 1:55 left. The Knights then were able to hold off the rest of the way.

Central went just 10-for-28 from the free-throw line.

"That's mental," Smith said of the free-throw shooting. "That's something you can control."

Jordan Maisto and Ali Settanni each had 12 points to lead the Rockets.

Ott led Kaneland with 10 points off the bench. Andie Strang added 7.