North Knox gets by Miners in OT

North Knox's Caroline Kirkwood hit two free throws in the final 18 seconds of overtime, part of a game-high 31-point performance, to lead the host Lady Warriors to a 57-54 victory over Linton-Stockton Thursday night at Bicknell in a battle of Class 2A Sectional foes.

"Kirkwood is difficult to guard," said Linton-Stockton coach Brad McKinney. "She definitely can put the ball in the basket."

Linton-Stockton, who slipped to 1-1, used a 10-0 spurt in the second quarter as the Lady Miners led 30-18 at the half.

"I thought we came out and played great in the first half," said McKinney. "We only had six turnovers.

"But we at least twice as many turnovers in the second half. We had crucial mistakes late that cost us. We tried to force things."

North Knox outscored the Lady Miners 17-4 in the third quarter, taking a 35-34 lead.

But the Lady Miners responded with a 9-2 spurt -- four points by Bradlea Beard and five by Stephanie Fougerousse -- as the visitors went back ahead 43-37 early in the fourth quarter.

Fougerousse hit a free throw to push the cushion back to six -- 46-40, but Kirkwood capped a 8-2 run with a baseline drive, tying the issue at 48-48 in the final two minutes of regulation.

Both teams had chances to go ahead, but neither scored to end the fourth quarter.

Savannah Mason, who finished with 11 points, hit two freebies to put the Lady Miners ahead 50-48 to start the overtime.

Kirkwood made a free throw, missed the second and then got the rebound and scored on a putback. The unorthodox three-point play put the Lady Warriors ahead 51-50 at the 3:07 mark of overtime.

Beard, who finished with eight points, scored on a putback of her own for a 52-51 Lady Miner edge. A Kirkwood hoop and two free throws by Kirstey Pembleton made it 55-52 North Knox.

A basket by Fougerousse, who paced the Lady Miners with 24 points, cut the lead to 55-54 with 25 ticks to play, but she missed a free throw that would have tied the issue.

The Lady Miners, who were 13 of 24 from the foul stripe, had a turnover and a shot block at the buzzer to end the game.

"Free throws hurt us. We missed two front ends of the bonus late. We did a great job of fighting," said McKinney. "Bu their girls know how to close out games. We need more games like this to learn how to close out close games.

"The third quarter really was the difference. We will learn from this."

North Knox won the jv contest.

Linton-Stockton will host North Daviess in a Southwestern Indiana Athletic Conference game at 6 p.m. Thursday.

LINTON-STOCKTON (54) -- Bradlea Beard 4 0-2 8, Bre Alsman 1 0-0 2, Olivia Robison 0 0-0 0, Stephanie Fougerousse 7 10-15 24, Savannah Mason 4 2-5 11, Alex Daluga 4 0-0 8, Kristen Riggleman 0 1-2 1. Totals 20 13-24 54.

NORTH KNOX (57) -- Caroline Kirkwood 12 5-10 31, Primus 2, Jessica Wood 3 2-2 8, Jordan Stagner 0 0-0 0, Lauren Summers 1 1-2 3, Josie Eaton 2 0-0 4, Eleni Moreland 0 0-0 0, Kirstey Pembleton 3 3-4 9. Taylor Harvey 0 0-0 0, Kayla Jones 0 0-0 0. Totals 22 11-18 57

Linton-Stockton 15 15 4 14 6 -- 54

North Knox 12 6 17 13 9 -- 57

3-pointers -- Linton-Stockton 1 (Mason), North Knox 2 (Kirkwood 2). Turnovers -- Linton-Stockton 18, North Knox 16. Fouls -- Linton-Stockton 21, North Knox 18. Fouled out -- None.