Ontario’s comeback bid foiled
Last second shot bounces off the iron, Nampa squeaks past Tigers 39-38
By Ray Rodriguez
Argus Observer
Sunday, December 7, 2008 12:04 AM PST
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| Ray Rodriguez | Argus Observer
Ontario’s Chris Babij (right) drives to the hoop while Nampa’s Amy Koenig defends during their non-conference girls basketball game Saturday in Ontario. Ontario outscored Nampa 14-4 in the fourth quarter, but came up one point shy, losing 39-38. |
ONTARIO—Ontario had its chances and were oh so close.
The Tigers rebounded from a 11-point fourth quarter deficit and had a chance to clinch the comeback win with a last second shot, but Kim Boyd’s 7-foot leaning bank shot bounced off the rim, sealing a 39-38 victory for Nampa, Saturday in Ontario.
“It was good comeback in the fourth quarter, we just needed a little more time there. Hopefully it will carry over into the next game we play,” Ontario head coach Jon Buck said.
The end result could have easily been avoided if not for the sluggish start by the Tigers, who were down 19-14 at the half and 35-24 entering the fourth quarter.
All told, Ontario committed 27 turnovers, allowed 21 offensive rebounds and connected on 12-of-36 from the floor.
“I thought some of the girls played scared in the first half, then in the fourth quarter, I don’t think anybody out there played scared,” Buck said. “We need to play hard the whole time, not worry about anything else and just go after it.”
Nampa was nursing the 39-38 lead late in the fourth quarter and had Mackenzie Leinum at the free throw line. The junior missed the front end of the 1-and-1 and Ontario snared the rebound and ran upcourt to set up the offense.
A timeout was called with 5.9 seconds left and Buck drew up a play.
The inbound pass went to Boyd, who made a couple of dribbles, and broke free for a leaping leaner from just outside the key, but her shot bounced off the backboard and off the rim.
A scramble ensued and a jumpball was called giving possession to Nampa.
The Bulldogs were able to make the inbounds pass and time expired, ending the Tigers’ comeback bid.
Ontario led 7-6 after eight minutes of play and Nampa rebounded with a 13-7 output for the 19-14 halftime lead. A 16-10 third quarter spurt gave Nampa a 35-24 lead heading into the fourth quarter, where the Tigers finally got things going.
Over the first 5:27 of the final stanza, Ontario went on a 13-2 run, started by a free throw by Meghan Schram and a rebound and putback by Boyd.
The run was capped on a jumper by Jenny Yano with 2:33 left in the contest, which drew the Tigers to within a 39-37 deficit.
On Nampa’s next possession, they worked for an open layup by Nichole Kesgard, but her shot bounced off the rim and into the waiting arms of Yano.
Before Yano could make the pass to a streaking Boyd, she was fouled with 1:09 left in the game.
Yano missed the first free throw, but made the second to draw Ontario to within one point at 39-38, setting the stage for the dramatic conclusion.
Boyd led all scorers with 14 points and Yano added eight points and a team-leading five rebounds.
Amy Koenig led with eight points and teammate Marina Quintana added seven points for the Bulldogs, who connected on 15-of-46 from the field.
Ontario (0-2 overall) travels to Weiser Tuesday.
