by tingly » Thu Mar 01, 2007 1:44 pm
Bottineau 49, Steele-Dawson 47
Associated Press
MINOT, N.D. - Kayla Roemmich scored the game-winning points with 10.7 seconds to play on Thursday, lifting defending champion Bottineau to a 49-47 win over Steele-Dawson in the first round of the North Dakota state Class B girls basketball tournament.
The Stars (23-2) will play Bowman County (24-1) in Friday's first semifinal. Bowman County beat Minnewaukan-Leeds 44-41 to reach the semis for the first time since 1992.
Roemmich, the Stars' leading scorer this season, didn't have a point until just 5:30 remained in the third quarter. She finished with 9 points, including the 3 biggest points of the game.
"I wasn't on in the first half. I had to step it up," Roemmich said. "At the end, we boxed out and got the ball back."
The Stars had 19 offensive rebounds, many leading to points in the second half.
Leading 47-46, Steele-Dawson turned the ball over in its own end with 18 seconds left.
Roemmich then scored on a driving layup, was fouled and made a free throw. The Pirates turned the ball over without a shot on their last possession.
Steele-Dawson (23-2) took its first lead with 1:57 to play on a basket by Bailey Benson, who led the Pirates with 13 points.
Maribeth Geiszler had 14 points and 12 rebounds for the Stars. Mandee Keplin had 11 points, all in the first half.