After nearly 32 minutes of back and forth battling, Tuesday night’s ORVC game between Switzerland County and Rising Sun came down to the final five seconds, when Lady Pacer senior Kristen Perry hit a jumper in the lane that pushed Switzerland County out in front, where they held on for a 45-44 nailbiter.
The final few seconds were indicative of how the contest went throughout the night, as Switzerland County and Rising Sun took turns trying to take command of the game, only to see the other squad fight back.
After Rising Sun opened the game with a bucket, Switzerland County got a three-pointer from Becca Sittloh and a steal and a layup from Hayley South to take a quick 5-2 lead. Rising Sun’s Megan Pickett then scored to cut the lead to one; but the Lady Pacers got baskets from Becca Sittloh and Trisha Smith to move out to a 9-4 advantage with just under four minutes to play.
That’s when Rising Sun made a run, scoring seven straight points to go up by two. The Lady Shiners got a bucket and a freethrow from Kelsey Bailie during the run; along with baskets by Kendra Hudson and Samie Lozier.
Kristen Perry drained a pair of freethrows to tie the game; but Kennedy Oser’s freethrow with less than a second to play gave Rising Sun a 12-11 lead after one period.
The Lady Shiners opened the second stanza with another run of six straight points, getting baskets from Samie Lozier, Kennedy Oser, and Megan Pickett; while Switzerland County was struggling to find some form of offensive pace.
Kristen Perry hit a three-pointer with 4:36 to play that got the Lady Pacers off of their scoring skid; and a pair of freethrows from Trisha Smith moments later cut the Rising Sun lead to 18-16.
The teams traded baskets for the rest of the quarter, with Ashley Watson scoring for Switzerland County; and the half ended with the Lady Shiners on top, 22-18.
Switzerland County would put its own offensive run together to start the third period, with Kristen Perry hitting a basket and making a pair of freethrows and Hayley South converting a freethrow to give the Lady Pacers a 23-22 lead.
That momentum came to a halt moments later, as center Trisha Smith was whistled with her fourth personal foul of the game with 6:09 to play in the third quarter, and she headed to the bench to protect against her fifth and final foul.
Rising Sun’s Kendra Hudson then scored to push the Lady Shiners back in front by a point; but the Lady Pacers responded with a rebound basket and a freethrow from Hayley South; and then another bucket from Hayley South on an outstanding assist from Kristen Perry.
With 4:31 to play in the quarter, the Lady Pacers held a 28-24 lead.
Back came Rising Sun.
The Lady Shiners then went on a run of seven straight points, getting a pair of baskets from Megan Pickett and a three-point play from Kennedy Oser, and with 1:48 to play Rising Sun was again in front, 31-28.
Allie Mathews then hit a key basket for Switzerland County, but Samie Lozier matched that. With less than a minute to play, Becca Sittloh got free again, and when her three-pointer found the range, the third period ended with the two teams knotted in a 33-33 tie.
Rising Sun drew first blood in the final quarter, going on a 9-2 run to open up a 40-35 lead. The lone Pacer points came from Hayley South.
Kristen Perry then drilled a jumper that cut the lead back to three; but Megan Pickett broke free and caught a long out of bounds pass and converted it into a layup – a play that the Lady Pacers had trouble with all night long – and with three minutes to play, Rising Sun held a 42-37 advantage.
Trisha Smith then worked herself free inside for a bucket; and when Hayley South followed that with a runner from the baseline, Switzerland County was down by just one with two minutes to play.
Megan Pickett scored again, but that was matched by Hayley South, and the two squads headed to the final minute with the Lady Shiners clinging to a one-point lead, 44-43.
With 29-seconds remaining, Switzerland County got a break when Rising Sun’s Kelsey Bailie missed the front end of a one-and-bonus; and the Lady Pacers brought the ball upcourt, working methodically for a good shot.
They got it with just five seconds remaining when Kristen Perry broke free at the top of the lane, and when her jumper found the range, Switzerland County was back in front and Rising Sun called a timeout to set up a final play.
Megan Pickett’s drive to the basket bounced off of the back of the rim, and the Lady Pacers escaped with another conference win, 45-44.
Hayley South led Switzerland County with 14 points on the night, and she also contributed five rebounds and three steals. Kristen Perry had another all around outstanding night, finishing with 13 points, five rebounds, three assists, four blocked shots, and seven steals.
Becca Sittloh had eight points, three rebounds, and a pair of assists; Trisha Smith had six points and four rebounds; Allie Mathews had two points and two rebounds; and Ashley Watson had a solid game off of the bench, finishing with two points and four rebounds.
Megan Pickett led Rising Sun with 14 points; and Samie Lozier finished with 10.
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In the junior varsity game, Switzerland County held on for a 22-19 win.
Erika Coy led the Lady Pacers with six points, and she also had nine rebounds. Mercedes Parham had four points and five steals; Bre Ricketts had four points and five rebounds; and Mikayla Turner had four points and five rebounds.
Vickie Abbott finished with two points; and Ashley Watson had two points and five rebounds.
Switzerland County returns to action tonight (Thursday) at South Ripley.