Courtney Loper (Steven M. Herppich photos) | ZOOM |

        COLUMBUS — Victory was within reach of Wyoming when adversity struck.

        Holding a 41-38 lead over South Euclid Regina with 2:43 remaining in the third quarter, senior center Maria McCarthy picked up her fourth foul and went to the bench.

        The Royals took advantage and posted a 75-54 victory in the Division III state semifinals. “It was a controversial call that could have gone either way,” Wyoming coach Deb Gentile said. “I'm not saying it was the wrong call, but it could have gone our way.”

        With McCarthy out of the lineup and Regina switching to a trapping defense on the perimeter to start the fourth quarter, the Royals quickly took control.

Jenni McGee | ZOOM |

        Leading 46-44 after three quarters, Regina scored seven unanswered points for a 55-44 advantage before McCarthy returned.

        She responded with two field goals and Jenni McGee with another to cut the deficit to 57-50 before Regina went on a 12-0 run to put the game away.

        Considered underdogs against Regina, which has four players 6-foot-1 or taller, the Cowboys appeared nervous and fell behind early.

        But they regained their composure in the second quarter and rallied behind Laura Verhaeghe (12 points), McCarthy (six points) and Courtney Loper (three points) to remain close at halftime, 31-27.

        “People didn't think we could play with Regina,” Verhaeghe said. “I knew we could do it, and I thought everyone else did when we took the lead on them.”

        Verhaeghe was outstanding.

        A 5-8 junior, Verhaeghe scored 19 points, grabbed 11 rebounds and came up with three steals. McCarthy had 14 points, eight rebounds and a steal.

        WYOMING (54) - Verhaeghe 6-11 7-7 19, Bell 206 0-0 4, McCarthy 7-10 0-4 14, Hoyles 1-7 1-4 3, McGee 4-21 0-1 8, Anderson 0-1 0-0 0, Schmitt 0-1 0-0 0, Loper 2-5 2-4 6. Totals: 22-63 10-20 54.

        REGINA (75) - S. Williams 8-11 2-2 18, Moore 6-12 6-10 18, Spadafore 0-2 2-2 2, Burgess 5-10 11-14 22, Redd 3-4 3-4 9, Little 1-4 0-0 2, E. Williams 2-4 0-0 4. Totals: 25-47 24-32 75.
       Wyoming ....... 12 15 17 10 - 54
       Regina ....... 18 13 15 29 - 75

        3-pointers: W 0-9, R 1-1. Rebounds: W 40 (Verhaeghe 11, McCarthy 8, Loper 5). R 32 (S. Williams 5). Assists: W 8 (Hoyles 4, McGee 2). R 10 (Moore 6, Burgess 3). Turnovers: W 25, R 22. Steals: W 9 (Verhaeghe 3, McGee 2). R 13 (Burges 8).

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