By George Starks |
Union City Ohio- For nearly 32 game minutes, the Mississinawa Valley Lady Blackhawks trailed Tri-Village but MV came from behind to post a 61-50 victory in Western Ohio Athletic Conference action Thursday
“I knew coming in to this game, it was going to be a struggle,” said MV coach Micheal Paige. “This is a very good basketball team that we played tonight.”
Tri-Village came out like gang busters looking to bury the Hawks, jumping out to a commanding 11-2 first quarter lead.
The Hawks, led by senior Taylee Woodbury, led the Hawks charge and by the end of the half.
MV had been able to hang with the visitors from New Madison to trail 27-24 at the break.
That is a good team over there,” said Wagner. “My kids had to fight hard, but we were able to stay with them.”
Mississinawa Valley found a way and the Hawks used their rebounding ability to create offense.
By the end of the third frame, the Hawks trailed by a skinny score of 27-24.
In the final eight minutes, what had eluded the Hawks suddenly became their best alley.
Free throw shooting.
The Hawks went 14 of 14 in the final frame.
“Today it worked out for us,” said the Hawks bench boss. “Haley played the last four minutes with four fouls. She’s a smart player.”
On the other end of the floor, Patriots head coach Brad Gray, it was a matter of rebounding.
“The only way Mississinawa was able to score tonight was off turnovers and rebounds. Our first shot defense was excellent for the most part but when you give a team three and four shots every possession. they’re going to score. We have to play smarter. This game was probably for the league title. I’m not knocking the rest of the conference but I highly doubt anyone in the league can beat them. So what we have to do is get refocused and string some wins together.”
The Hawks will see action again Saturday at Dixie while the Patriots will host Bellefontaine Saturday.