CROTHERSVILLE

Zoe Spangler scored the only points of the overtime period to lift the Crothersville girls to a 42-39 win over sectional foe West Washington Thursday night.

The Tigers had a chance to win the game in regulation when Grace Wilson’s shot from the wing bounced off the rim as the buzzer sounded leaving the score deadlocked at 39.

Tigers coach Kevin Hensley called time with 12 seconds remaining to set up the final play.

Both teams had chances to take the lead in the overtime before Spangler made a move to the basket, scored, was fouled and made the free throw with 2:25 remaining.

Both teams also had chances to add to their point totals in the final two minutes as the Tigers missed two shots and five free throws, while the Senators missed two shots from the floor and two free throws, and committed a turnovers.

Hensley said he felt as if his team played smarter in the second half and did a better job of controlling the ball.

“Early on I was kind of frustrated with them making silly fouls, especially Kennadi (Lakins) not using her head and reaching and committing silly fouls," he said. "That really hurt us and allowed them to come back.

“But late in the game, especially the overtime, I thought we showed some mental toughness that we could really put a game together and take care of the basketball when we needed to.”

The Tigers opened a 15-9 lead at the end of the first period, and were on top 22-11 following a basket by Wilson with 3:15 remaining before the half.

The Senators took advantage of two Crothersville starters on the bench with two fouls, and rallied to score the final 12 points of the half to lead 23-22 at the break.

Hensley said he felt his team committed too many fouls and had some unforced errors that allowed the Senators to rally and take the lead.

Spangler had 7 points and Wilson scored 6 to spark the Tigers in the first half.

The Tigers took a 31-27 lead into the fourth period and led 34-30 following a 3-point play by Wilson with 5:22 remaining.

The visitors moved on top 36-34 before Wilson tied the score at 36 with 3:52 remaining, and she closed the Tigers’ scoring in regulation with a 3-point play with 2:30 left.

Wilson topped the Tigers with 19 points, and Spangler and Tiessa Stevens scored 8 each.

Lakins topped the Tigers with 9 rebounds, and Stevens pulled down 8.

Hensley said he had to use some psychology on Stevens.

“We told her she could help us with her size and length," he said. "She can make a difference for us. I kind of kidded her a little bit, telling her that (Riley Hall) was telling her, ‘you’re my best friend because you let me score all the time.’ That fired her up a little bit.”

Hall and Lexi Griffitts topped the Senators (3-8) with 15 points each, and Hall had 12 rebounds.

The Tigers (3-4) had won three straight and will travel to Southwestern (Hanover) Saturday for a 6 p.m. game.

CHS G box

Crothersville 42, W. Washington 39

Crothersville;15;7;9;8;3;-42

Washington;9;14;4;12;0;-39

Crothersville (3-4) – Zoe Spangler 3 1-5 8, Kennadi Lakins 3 0-0 7, Grace Wilson 6 7-8 19, Ella Plasse 0 0-3 0, Tiessa Stevens 4 0-0 8, Shania Hyland 0 0-0 0, Elayna Ord 0 0-0 0. Totals 16 8-16

West Washington (3-8)- Alandra Johnson 1 2-2 5, Shelby Griffitts 1 2-2 4, Riley Hall 6 3-12 15, Lexi Griffitts 6 2-3 15. Totals 14 6-17 39

3-point goals: CHS (Spangler, Lakins) WW (Johnson, L. Griffitts)

Rebounds: CHS 31 (Lakins 9, Stevens 7), WW 23 (Hall 12)

Fouls: CHS 15, WW 16

Turnovers: CHS 18, WW 11