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Tigers stun Comets 48-47: Rothsay’s Dunbar hits winner in Sect. 6A playoff game
Published 9:14am Tuesday, February 26, 2013ROTHSAY – The Hillcrest girls saw their season come to an end as Lexy Dunbar shot a rim rattling ball with one second left in the game that got a home court bounce into the basket to put the Rothsay Tigers over the Comets 48-47 Monday in the Section 6A playoffs.
The Comets looked to put a rough season behind them as they came out on their opponent’s court ready to play. The Tigers, who had defeated Hillcrest twice during the regular season, were taken aback as the Comets left the court at the break with a 32-27 lead.
In the second half, Rothsay was able to battle back and got to within striking distance as the clocked ticked down. The Tigers fouled the Comets putting them at the line for a one and one with the scored 47-46 in favor of the visitor. Hillcrest missed the free throw attempt and the Rothsay was able to rebound the ball and get it to Dunbar for a baseline jumper for the win.
“With one second left in the game, the ball bounced and bounced around the rim a few times, hit the backboard and went in,” Comet coach Charlie Brue said. “I guess that’s the way the ball bounces sometimes. It’s tough to be on the losing end.”
“It was an exciting game throughout and a tough battle for us,” Tiger coach Jesse Arbuckle said. “I am very proud of these girls and how they never gave up.”
Ashley Maack led the Tigers with 19 points, while game hero Dunbar finished the evening with 11.
The Comets’ Abbe Monacelli scored 18 tallies and Megan Aasness chipped in 12 in the game.
The Tigers will now hit the road Thursday to take on No. 8 (Class A) Ada-Borup in a 7 p.m. Section 6A showdown.
The Comets finish the season with a 1-21 record.
“I was really proud to watch our girls finish their year playing some of the best basketball that they have played all year,” Brue added.
