Lydia Harders scored 19 of her 26 points in the second half points, including 11 in the fourth quarter, as Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn rallied for a 49-47 victory over Alta-Aurelia in a Class 2A Region 2 opening round game played February 12 at Hartley. With the victory HMS improved to 7-15 on the season.
HMS trailed from the 5:17 mark of the first quarter until Harders’ go-ahead basket with 5:31 remaining in the game. The Warriors held a slim lead for most of the next few minutes. A pair of free throws put Alta-Aurelia in front 47-45 with 1:23 left. Elise Haack converted the first of two free throw attempts but missed the second. Harders got the ball and scored to give the Hawks a 48-47 lead. Back-to-back held ball situations gave the Warriors the ball and their missed shot went out of bounds. Jasmine Lux was fouled with 14 seconds left and made the second of two free throws, putting HMS up by two. Alta-Aurelia drew a foul as the clock hit :00. Their player was then alone on the floor to attempt the two free throws that would have sent the game into overtime and she missed both foul shots.
Lux aided in the Hawk comeback with 10 points, three rebounds, two assists and a steal. Gracie Knobloch scored four of her five points in the fourth quarter and also finished with four rebounds. Emily Mutombo’s three points accompanied four rebounds and three steals. Kylee Schiphoff’s line included two points, five rebounds, three steals and an assist. Emily Otto finished with two points and two rebounds. Haack had the free throw for one point plus two rebounds, two steals and an assist.
The Hawks had difficulty advancing the ball up the floor against Alta-Aurelia pressure. This was evidenced by their 28 turnovers. The Warriors turned the ball over 13 times.
HMS was 16-of-44 from the floor (36 percent) compared to the Warriors’ 15-of-48 (31 percent). Three balls were not a big factor in the game as the Hawks made one of three from beyond the arc and Alta-Aurelia two of six. Neither team carved out much of an advantage at the free throw line where HMS went 16-for-31 with the Warriors sinking 15 of 28. The Hawks finished with a narrow 30-29 advantage on the boards.
A-A 15 9 10 13 – 47
HMS 8 10 12 19 – 49