Ashburn (December 30, 2012) – Stone High School senior guard Niki Prince scored a game-high 28 points with 10 rebounds and had the assist on junior Megan Della Penna’s basket with just under 30 seconds left Saturday that sent the Bulldogs and Broad Run girls into overtime on the final night of the Honda of Dulles Battle of Ashburn basketball tournament.
It was all Stone Bridge (7-4 record) in overtime as the Bulldogs out-scored the Spartans (7-6), 14-5, for a 55-46 victory.
Leading at halftime 25-22, Stone Bridge quickly gave up their lead as Broad Run dominated the beginning of the third quarter leading at one point by eight points. Spartan senior guard Ellie Ferguson (20 points, 6 rebounds) led her team, knocking down every third quarter shot she attempted.
Ferguson’s effort was mirrored by the continued presence of Prince who helped the Bulldogs to rally in the third quarter to tie the game at 34-34, heading into the fourth quarter.
For the entire fourth quarter, both teams traded baskets with neither leading by more than three at any point. Stone Bridge, down two late, got to inbound from midcourt with 28.9 seconds left.
Bulldog head coach Dana Robinson called a timeout and drew up a play that worked to perfection as Prince found Della Penna (10 points, 5 rebounds) right under the basket to tie it up.
With 1.8 seconds left in regulation, Stone Bridge again took a time out and set up their inbound pass from under the basket. That is when the coaching chess match began. Broad Run head coach Sean Gundry took a timeout after seeing the Bulldog set up to alter is defensive set. About three minutes after the two timeouts, Stone Bridge finally inbounded the ball where they found Prince who was unable to get off a good shot, so the game headed to overtime.
In the overtime period the Bulldogs extended their advantage at the foul line where they were a total of 9 of 15 in the fourth quarter and overtime. For the game, Stone Bridge shot 20 more free throws (27 to 7) than Broad Run, making 18 of 27 while the Spartans were 4 of 7.
Stone Bridge Stats
Megan Della Penna 10 points, 5 rebounds, 2 steals, 2/4 free throws
Niki Prince 28 points, 10 rebounds, 5 steals, 9/10 free throws, 3 assists
Sydney Broderick 3 points, 2 rebounds,1 steal, 1/4 free throws
Annie Bokulic 4 points, 5 rebounds
Caitlyn Cannon 10 points, 4 rebounds, 2 steals. 6/7 free throws, 1 assist
Haley Breidenfield 1 rebound, 0/2 free throws
Blair Berry 2 rebounds, 4 steals, 1 assist
SBHS Totals
55 points, 29 rebounds, 7 turnovers, 14 steals, 18/27 free throws, 5 assists
Broad Run Stats
Kimmy Melendez 4 points, 1 rebound
Fatima Kamara 6 points, 11 rebounds, 0/1 free throws, 2 assists
Mariah Leonard 4 points, 11 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 blocked shot, 0/1 free throws, 1 assists
Ellie Feguson 20 points, 6 rebounds, 1/2 free throws
Alyssa Cabellos 8 points, 1 rebound, 2/2 free throws, 1 assist
Taylor Tashjian 4 points, 5 rebounds, 1/1 free throws, 2 assists
Alex Reigel 1 rebound, 1 blocked shot
Julia Nappier 2 rebounds Jacqueline Lynch 1 rebound
BRHS Totals
46 points, 39 rebounds, 26 turnovers, 1 steal, 2 blocked shots, 4/7 free throws, 6 assists