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By: Chris Evans
The fact that the Lady Jays even had an opportunity in the final seconds of the fourth quarter says enough for a team that just simply would not go away.
However, the Altus Lady Bulldogs defeated the Lady Jays, of Guthrie High School, 40-38 on a game winning shot by Kiondra Harris with :03 left in the game at Norman North High School. Senior Emily Davis half court shot, at the buzzer, slammed against the backboard to close the door on their season.
Guthrie's season comes to an end with a 13-12 record, but were winners of a regional championship and had won four of their last six games.
Altus never once trailed in the game and built up an 8-4 first quarter lead. In the quarter, Guthrie could manage just four shots total while making just one field goal to go along with two free throws from Davis.
Four shots, or just one field goal was not the story of the first quarter. Davis would pick up her third foul with 1:45 remaining in the quarter. Davis would have to go to the bench and Altus took advantage.
Altus was on a 10-0 run that expanded from the first to the second quarter covering 6:30 and Guthrie head coach Terry Carris had no choice but to bring Davis back into the line-up with 5:49 to go in the half.
Davis would make her impact quickly by making a free throw to end a 13-0 run by the Bulldogs. Freshmen Tory Dwyer's, bucket 48 seconds later, ended a 8:11 field goal drought for Guthrie, but Altus held a 17-7 advantage.
Altus would push their biggest lead of the afternoon to 13-points, 20-7, on a Harris 3-point shot with 3:02 to play before the half. But from that point, Guthrie would go on a 9-0 run to make it a 4-point game at the half, 20-16.
Both teams would score 8-points each in the third quarter to set up an amazing fourth quarter.
With 3:40 left to play and Altus holding a 36-31 lead, Harris would suffer a face injury and was force to go the bench. Harris proved throughout the game she was the player Altus turned to when they needed someone to protect the ball and score when needed.
Davis would take Guthrie's only 3-point attempt and would swish it to pull the Lady Jays within two, 36-34, with 2:55 to play.
Dwyer, 1:47 later, would score a basket to the tie the game for the first since it was 4-4. Harris would re-enter the game and was fouled going to the hoop by Davis with :33. Harris would make both free throws to give her team a 38-36 lead.
After a Guthrie turnover, the Lady Jays were forced to foul Altus with :27 left. Harris would miss the front end of the 1-and-1 and off the rebound Davis would penetrate the left side and was fouled and sent to the line with just 18.31 seconds.
Davis, calm as could be, would sink both free throws to tie the game up 38-all.
Altus would go for the final shot, and went to none other then Harris. Harris would start on the left side with 9 seconds, and would penetrate to the right side. A running right handed shot would climb on the rim that seem to stay on there for minutes finally went down with three seconds left.
Davis finished with 15 points in 28 minutes and Dwyer added 11 points in 32 minutes.
Guthrie says goodbye to senior Davis, Jessica Dwyer, Bianca Smith, and Katreena Parker.
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