After being average at best from the line for much of the afternoon, the Raiders made clutch free-throws down the stretch, including 4-for-4 in the final 11.9 seconds, to pull out a 35-32 "come from behind" victory over the WCI Vikings on Saturday afternoon.
The odds of the Raiders winning looked slim at best in the slow-paced affair as they trailed 29-23 with about 2:30 to go in the ball-game.
However, a steal at mid-court by Frances Campbell that resulted in an intentional foul was the precursor to a 5-point swing (2-of-2 on the free-throws and a banked three-pointer) that put KCI within 1. Another Raider two put them up by one, and set the stage for arguably the most exciting finish in girls' basketball this season.
Here's a quick summary:
1. Alia Hazineh goes 1-for-2 (31-29 KCI), but the Vikes are fouled on the rebound. 38.2 seconds left.
2. WCI goes 1-for-2 on their trip to the line, and trail 31-30.
3. WCI steals the ball and a lay-up gives them back the lead at 32-31.
4. KCI turns the ball over.
5. Hazineh steals the ball and gets fouled while in double-bonus (11.9 left at this point). Makes both FTs to put KCI back up one.
6. Key play of the game here --- on the ensuing possession the Raiders draw a charge in the backcourt and get the ball back, up one with 7 seconds left.
7. 2 more KCI FTs (35-32 KCI) iced it and WCI could not get off the potentially game-tying three pointer.
Whew.
Jess Roes was tremendous in a losing effort for WCI, as she led all scorers with 15. Frances Campbell (8), Olivia Mickie (7) and Hazineh (7) topped the Raider attack.
