Huskies hold off Bellaire in OT
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BELLAIRE -- After a two-week absence and playing for the first time since Nov. 25 (a victory at Edison) due to COVID-related issues, Harrison Central's girls basketball team made the most of its return.
The Huskies watched Bellaire rally in the fourth to force overtime, but in the extra session, the Huskies simply weren't going to be denied. They scored 11 of the 13 points in the bonus session to pull out a 67-58 victory against the Big Reds inside the 'House of Champions' Monday night.
"Both teams sure made it exciting," Harrison Central coach Nick Yourkovich said. "It feels great to come back and simply play. Winning a game like this adds a little extra excitement."
The Huskies actually resumed from their pause on Saturday and had two practices before making the trip to Belmont County.
"Our JV team really pushed our Top 7, which was a great help to prepare for (Monday)," Yourkovich said.
Along with winning their second straight game this season, the Huskies (2-1) snapped a nine-game losing streak to Bellaire in the process.
The Huskies found themselves trailing in regulation after junior Lizzie McAninch got free inside for a bucket, making it 54-53 with 97 seconds to play.
After Harrison committed one of its 27 turnovers, the Big Reds extended their lead to three on a Jayden Lowe basket.
However, the Huskies didn't wilt. Maddy Butler was fouled and made 1 of 2 at the stripe.
The Huskies, who came empty after an offensive rebound, forced a turnover, which led to Audrey Corder scoring to knot the game
"We didn't make smart basketball plays in the final minute," Bellaire head coach John Farrier said. "We committed a foul, didn't secure a defensive rebound and those plays are the difference makers in a close game."
In overtime, the Huskies looked like the fresher team. The teams traded baskets in the opening minute of the overtime, but Harrison closed with the final nine.
"With the foul trouble we were in, when the game went into overtime, I was a little nervous," Yourkovich said. "I'm still not sure how we manipulated the whole second half."
Mackenzie Harbold ignited the spurt when she drilled a trey. On the ensuing possession, junior center McKayla Dunkle, who had a field day on the interior against the under-sized Big Reds, tallied two more of her game-high 26 points, making it a five-point spread.
Bellaire had some good looks in OT but simply couldn't buy a basket. Compounding matters, it turned the ball over four times.
The Big Reds held a 32-29 lead at halftime, but the Huskies seized control in the third, outscoring Bellaire, 17-9. But, as they've done time and time again this season, the Big Reds battled back.
"The third quarter was bad," Farrier said. "It seems we have those stretches every game and then have to battle back. We did a terrible job defensively of (stopping) the ball. I did a bad job of making the necessary adjustments, so there is a little blame to go around. We need to get better, and we will.
"Give Harrison credit. For coming off quarantine, we hoped to wear them down, and they wore us down. They played well and were well prepared."
The Huskies were led by Dunkle's production. She added 14 rebounds, four blocks and three assists to her stat sheet. The Huskies were in the game early because of the contribution from Britton Positano, who scored 12 of her 20 in the first quarter.
"Brit really carried early until everyone else caught up to the speed of their press," Yourkovich said.
Bellaire (2-5) was led by McAninch's 16 points. She also had seven rebounds. Lowe finished with 15 points, while Allie Ault and Kayleigh Leigh each drilled a trio of treys for nine points. Ault also had nine rebounds.
Harrison Central 67, Bellaire 58, OT
Harrison 19 10 17 10 11 -- 67
Bellaire 19 13 9 16 2 -- 58
HARRISON CENTRAL: Positano 7, 4-5 20; Corder 3, 0-1 6; Dunkle 12, 2-8 26; Butler 3, 1-2 7; Harbold 2, 0-0 6; Beadling 1, 0-0 2. TOTALS: 28, 7-16: 67.
BELLAIRE: Lowe 6, 2-7 15; McAninch 7, 2-2 16; Miller 1, 2-2 4; Bonar 1, 3-4 6; Ault 3, 0-0 9; Rowson 0, 0-0 0; Leigh 3, 0-0 9; Porter 0, 0-2 0. TOTALS: 21, 9-17 58.
3-POINT GOALS: Harrison Central 4 (Positano 2, Harold 2); Bellaire 8 (Lowe, Bonar, Ault 3, Leigh 3).