St. Edward survives in OT
POPLAR GROVE — Rena Ranallo had to make up for the 3 free throws she missed.
The junior had a chance to secure a Green Wave victory in Wednesday’s Class 2A North Boone regional semifinal game against Rockford Christian in regulation.
So when Ranallo (12 points, 3 steals) went to the line with 1:16 left in overtime she knew what she had to do.
“I was so nervous.” Ranallo said. “I had to make up for those 3 free throws I missed earlier. I just put them in.”
Ranallo’s free throws held as the Green Wave held off the Lions down the stretch in a 48-46 overtime victory.
The Green Wave held a 48-46 edge in overtime but turned the ball over with 18.9 seconds remaining.
Rockford Christian not only didn’t get a good look, the Royals weren’t even able to get s shot off as St. Edward’s defense swarmed the Lions’ backcourt.
“The last quarter, especially in overtime we had the defense we wanted on the court,” Green Wave coach Michelle Dawson said. “We forced them out of their game. We played lockdown defense.”
St. Edward (21-7) looks for back-to-back regional titles against top seed Rockford Lutheran, a 63-40 winner over North Boone, at 7:30 p.m. today. The second-seeded Green Wave hope the late-game momentum from Wednesday will carry over. Lutheran beat St. Edward 48-44 on MLK Day at Concordia University. Tonight’s winner advances to the Rock Falls sectional semifinals next Monday.
No. 3 seed Rockford Christian (19-7) actually held a comfortable 36-29 lead at the end of the third quarter shooting 8 for 15 from the floor, including making 6 of its final 8 shots.
The lapses in the Green Wave defense evaporated in the fourth quarter as a much different-styled St. Edward team took the floor.
Callie Johnson had 3 steals in the final period and the Green Wave forced 8 total turnovers. Johnson poured in 8 of St. Edward’s 15 points as it outscored Rockford Christian 15-10. Johnson connected twice on 3-pointers in the fourth period as well.
“I think I was in the right place at the right time,” said Johnson, who finished with 13 points and 3 steals. “The first three quarters, we weren’t prepared. In the fourth quarter, we had to play.”
Despite the strong defensive effort, Lions’ freshman Lexi Lanquist also found herself positioned well. After having her 3-point attempt partially blocked, Lanquist stole the ball as St. Edward was looking to clear it out and scored as time expired in regulation to tie the game at 44.
Lanquist had checked into the game for the first time in the final minute when point guard Jayla Penney fouled out. Penney had scored all 6 of the Lions’ previous fourth-quarter points.
Alexandria Lee broke the tie in the extended session scoring off a Lions’ turnover with 2:56 left. Lee (8 points) had a monster second half grabbing 7 of her 12 rebounds. She also had the task of guarding 6-foot 5-inch Emily Nylen (14 points, 10 rebounds).
Nylen scored on an offensive putback tying the game at 46 with 1:28 left to play. She opened the game scoring 6 points in the first quarter, but was slowed by the Green Wave defense after that.