Lady Blues lose in last-minute heartbreaker

The Lady Blues looked for three quarters as if they were about to pull off one of their biggest wins of the season. It all unraveled as the Lady Blues gave up an 11-point lead in the fourth quarter to lose to the Bridgeport Sissies 43-42.

The game was close for the opening four minutes with the Sissies ahead 7-6. The Lady Blues took the lead with 3:41 remaining. Rachel Grimsley stole the ball and passed it to Kate Gober, who put the Lady Blues ahead with a layup. The defense clamped down with back-to-back blocks by freshman Emilee Gordy. The second block led to Gober getting an assist from a 3-pointer by Hannah Williams. The Lady Blues closed the first quarter with a 7-0 run to lead 13-7.

The Lady Blues struggled in the second quarter but held the lead for the duration. Five points were all the team can score in the quarter. A pair of free throws by Williams with 5:52 remaining in the quarter and a 3-pointer by Grimsley with 5:03 remaining. The Sissies finished the half with a 6-0 run. The Lady Blues held an 18-17 lead at halftime.

For a span of 4:27 in the third quarter, the Lady Blues played their best basketball of the season. Then it all came undone in the fourth.

The third quarter opened with four points from Gober on a 3-pointer and a 1-2 trip to the free-throw line. The Sissies briefly took the lead on a 6-0 run and were then held scoreless for the next 4:23 of the quarter.

For the rest of the story, see the Dec. 11 edition of The Graham Leader.