Burlington Central stops Harlem in OT

The Burlington Central girls basketball team's home opener Friday night wasn't the best game the Rockets could play.

But it was a victory, and that's all that matters.

The Rockets overcame 20 first-half turnovers and a 4-point deficit with 30 seconds left in the fourth quarter to beat Harlem, 53-49, in overtime time in Burlington Central Thanksgiving Classic pool-play action.

"The kids were excited with it being the first home game," Central coach Stephanie Smith said. "We just needed to calm down, make the calm, clean pass. Then everything else kind of falls into place."

Central (2-1) led 35-27 heading into the fourth quarter thanks to a 15-0 run in the third. But the Huskies (0-2) rallied and led 45-40 with 1:40 remaining in the fourth after a Paige Graham basket in the lane. Erin Bolin gave Harlem a 47-43 lead with 30 seconds left. Jessica Laird's jumper in the paint with 14 seconds left cut the Central deficit to 47-45.

Harlem could not get the ball inbounds after a Rockets timeout, turning the ball over on a 5-second call. The Rockets tied the game as Alli Settanni hit from in close to send the game into overtime.

"We made too many mental mistakes at the end," Huskies coach Luanna Kish said. "There should have never been that 5-second call. Right there, we shot ourselves in the foot."

The Huskies took the lead in overtime on a Kailey Firm offensive rebound and putback with 2:55 remaining. Laird, who finished with 10 points, gave the Rockets the lead for good with a 3-pointer with 1:45 left for a 50-49 advantage.

Brenda Thasavong scored the Rockets' final 3 points in overtime. The junior finished with 11 points and 14 rebounds. Camille Dela Cruz led the Rockets with 15 points.

Central had only 6 turnovers in the second half and overtime.

"We have to limit the turnovers," Smith said. "(The opponent) shouldn't have big runs."

Harlem turned the ball over five times in overtime and 37 times in the game.