Sunday, March 12, 2000
Madeira girls on to state
Amazons come back to win in OT 46-44
BY JOHN SCHUTTE
Enquirer contributor
Madeira trailed by as many as 10 points in the second half, but two free throws by Amanda Davis with six seconds remaining in overtime earned the Amazons a 46-44 victory over Northwestern in a Division III regional championship game at Vandalia Butler Activity Center.
Madeira captured its first ever regional championship and advance to the state semifinals Thursday in Columbus where they will play South Euclid Regina (25-1).
In victories over Versailles (22-2), Morral Ridgedale (22-3) and Northwestern (23-2) Madiera entered as underdogs. In each of those games, the Amazons responded under pressure to pull out the victory late in the game.
Northwestern nearly won the game at the buzzer. Senior Mandy Engelbrecht had an open look on a 3-pointer but the shot went halfway down before rattling out.
“I and probably everyone else in the gym thought that shot was going in,” Madeira coach Dave Schlensker said.
Madeira held the upper hand through the final minutes of regulation and in overtime. The Amazons never trailed after Davis broke a 35-35 tie with a 3-point play with 4:19 left in the fourth quarter. Davis added two free throws and a field goal to give Madeira a 42-37 lead with three minutes left.
“We were having trouble with their pressure in the first half,” Schlensker said. “When we started to attack their press we had success.”
In overtime, Madeira struck first. Senior Jenny Phelan sank a 15-foot shot from the left side to put Madeira up 44-42.
Northwestern faltered on its next three possessions. After a missed 3-pointer, Molly Earley and Amy Rutledge both missed layup attempts.
Early eventually tied the game on a pair of free throws with 22 seconds remaining.
Davis' game winning free throws capped a spectacular game. The sophomore scored 26 points and keyed an 11-4 run to end the third quarter.
With Madeira trailing 28-18 with 3:21 remaining in the third quarter, Davis took over.
“When we were down 10, that was a great opportunity for us to fold our tents and go home,” Schlensker said, “I know these girls well. They refuse to quit.”
Davis scored Madeira's next 11 points, including a 3-point play with four seconds left in the third quarter to cut Northwest's lead to 32-29.
“I looked in my opponents eyes and could see they wanted this game," Davis said. “I wanted to win more. I really wanted it for the seniors.”
Davis scored 22 points in the second half after struggling early on. Davis was also key in holding Northwestern's Earley to four second half points.
“Against Versailles I had a great defensive game,” Davis said, “I was having trouble blocking shots today so I stepped it up on offense.”
NORTHWESTERN (44) — Cummins 3 4 12, Cotrell 3 3 9, Engelbrecht 2 1 5, Rutledge 1 2 4, Earley 6 4 16. Totals: 15 14 44.
MADEIRA (46) — Mackris 0 1 1, Krietemeyer 2 3 7, Staubach 2 0 4, Shaw 1 0 2, Davis 10 6 26, Barnhart 1 0 2, Phelan 2 0 4. Records 18 10 46.
Northwestern ....... 8 11 10 13 2—44
Madeira ....... 6 10 8 18 4—46
3-pointers: NW-Cummins 2. Records M 19-6, N 24-2.
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