DELPHOS — Freshman Bridget Culp hit a runner at the overtime buzzer to lift Jefferson to a 59-58 Northwest Conference thriller over Paulding Thursday night at Jefferson Senior High.
With the teams knotted at 50 to begin the extra four minutes, it came down to the end when Culp (17 points, 5 treys) drained her long shot at the buzzer to give the Lady Wildcats the win.
Jefferson came out strong to begin with after winning the tip as junior Ashley Watkins (16 markers) passed the ball to Jenna Miller on a 2-on-1 in the paint. Paulding was able to work the ball inside to its post players but Jefferson stayed on the perimeter as they got the ball to Culp to drain three 3s in the first quarter. The game was all tied up at 13 when the buzzer ended for the quarter.
Both defenses were strong, although Jefferson’s seemed to be a little stronger in the end in forcing the Panthers into 17 turnovers to their 13.
“We played with confidence and were not intimidated. We were able to play our game with hitting some shots early on. I was pleased with our shots and movement of the ball. Our defense worked very hard on the inside with their height. Taking care of the ball was another big factor,” stated Jefferson coach Dave Hoffman.
Neither team dominated the game; every quarter was close. The defenses really proved to be dominant in the second period; neither offense scored until halfway in. Paulding’s Tiffany Razo (10 points) drained two 3s after Jefferson scored the first bucket. The percentage of shooting for both teams was under 50 percent at halftime as they shot 38 and 39 percent, respectively. Jefferson trailed 27-24 at the break.
Paulding conquered the Wildcats on the boards with 33, 23 coming on the defensive end.
“Our free throws I can’t stress enough when we were 17-of-38. We missed wide-open bunnies and we need to execute and were unable to do that. These games are the hardest to lose when you’re in them and just can’t capitalize,” stated Paulding coach Vorst.
Jefferson’s defense came out strong again in the third, only allowing the Panthers to score six points, with the hosts scoring 11. Both teams had key post players in foul trouble, eventually having two players each foul out. Paulding also began struggling on their free throws, allowing the Wildcats to pull ahead by two as this period came to an end.
“Culp was strong for us, as was Jenna with running the offense. Ashley was another strong player for us, hitting some key shots. It was a team effort on both ends. First time we played the whole game and it helped us with them missing shots at the end of regulation,” added Hoffman.
Once again, the scoring was close in the final period of regulation. Paulding’s Shelby Erford (18 counters, 3 treys) drained two 3-pointers but Jefferson tallied three 3s as Watkins hit two and Culp one. Jefferson was truly saved when Paulding missed six free throws at the end of the quarter.
“Shelby did a tremendous job, which is what we have been waiting for her to do with coming out strong on defense and offense. Getting two seniors in foul trouble hurt us as we thrive on our senior leadership,” added Vorst.
Jefferson shot 34 percent from the field to Paulding’s 38 percent.
Jefferson increases to 5-5 (1-3 NWC) and will travel to Perry on Tuesday. The Panthers drop to 3-6 (1-3 NWC); they face off with Van Wert on Saturday.
In JV action, the Panthers prevailed 26-22. The Panthers were led in scoring by Ashley Myers with nine. Taylor VanGrootheest countered with seven.
