Wallace-Rose Hill’s Lady Bulldogs survived a hard fought, physical game at Union, defeating the Lady Spartans 56-55 in overtime. The game turned out to be a battle of attrition, as three Union players, and three Lady Bulldog,s fouled out of the game.

The aggressiveness by each team resulted in 87 total free throws attempted between the two teams, an unofficial record for total free throws attempted in a Tri-County Conference game.

The Lady Spartans took advantage of their trips to the foul line in the first half, making 17 of 22. However, they cooled down from the charity stripe in the second half, and as a team they went 27 of 49 for the entire game. Wallace was 20 for 38.

Union led after one quarter, 10-6 thanks to 6 early points by Shiquilla Walker. In the second quarter, Nadua McKinzie’s aggressiveness earned herself trips to the foul line, in which she converted 8 of 12 in the quarter. The made free throws and intensity on the defensive end of the floor for the Lady Spartans helped them take a 28-18 lead into the halftime locker room.

Wallace continued to struggle with Union’s defensive pressure in the back court by McKinzie and Jasmine Becton, and trailed 39-28 entering the fourth.

Early in the fourth, Becton, McKinzie, and Faith McKay all fouled out. This plagued the Lady Spartans and allowed Wallace to make a run. The Lady Bulldogs would eventually take the lead, and increase it to 48-45 after made free throws. With 12 seconds to play, Union had the ball, down 3. The ball found its way into Eva Long’s hands on the right wing, and she calmly knocked down the game-tying 3-pointer with 8.5 seconds to play. After a Wallace turnover and missed half-court shot by Union, it headed into an extra period.

Lauren Preddy played well for the Lady Spartans in the extra period, making several go-ahead free throws, and a go-ahead 3-pointer with a minute left. However, Wallace was able to get back to the foul line, and converted on both free throws. Wallace led 56-55, and Union had the ball at half court, ready to inbound with 1.8 seconds to go. Unfortunately for Spartan fans, they did not get a shot off, and the visiting team was heading home smiling.