Lady Broncos Win Overtime Thriller
PLAINVILLE-Camille Dortland scored eight of her game-high 22 points in overtime as the Russell Lady Broncos captured a 67-57 victory over Hill City Thursday evening in the ninth place game of the Mid Continent League Tournament.
Hill City opened the game with a 4-0 lead before Dortland made the first two of her six three-pointers, making it the second game in a row with that many to help Russell seize an 8-4 advantage before settling for a 15-10 edge after the first eight minutes.
The Lady Ringnecks battled back from an eight-point deficit in the second quarter as Breckan Born scored seven points to help them take a 20-19 lead. Both teams traded baskets but Dortland hit another three in the final 30 seconds of the half to give Russell the advantage at halftime 24-22.
The lead changed hands several times in the third quarter but Russell still held the lead at 39-38. After Russell increased its lead to 41-38 early in the fourth quarter, Hill City used a 7-0 run to lead 45-41 before Russell used a five-point surge to go ahead 46-45. After Hill City tied the game 53-53 on a pair of free throws by Alissa Keith, the Lady Broncos kept possession of the ball for much of the final minute of regulation. Hill City had fouls to give and twice committed fouls to slow down Russell's momentum. Aniya Stierlen attempted a hook shot as time ran out, but the shot missed and the game went into overtime.
In the extra period, the Lady Broncos used the three-pointer to take over the game. Emerson Nichols began the barrage with a trey and then Dortland knocked down two more to help Russell pull away for the victory and secure its first winning streak of the season.
Dortland matched her career high in points, first established in Tuesday's win over Stockton. Three other Russell players were in double figures as Stierlen scored 16 points to go along with three blocked shots, Nichols added 12 and Rylan Reeves who missed part of the game with an apparent ankle injury but returned in the second half, chipped in with 10 points.
Born led all scorers with 25 points for Hill City (4-6) while Keith added 21 points before fouling out late in the fourth quarter.
Russell (5-6) will return home to Amos Morris Gymnasium on Tuesday, January 26 to face fellow MCL newcomer Hoxie in a doubleheader with the Boys. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m. The games can be heard on KRSL AM 990/98.1 FM and streamed on KRSL.com