Trailing the entire contest, Lady Bronco Rhiannon Hoover hit from downtown for a 3-pointer to knot the game 39-39 with 35 seconds left in regulation.
On the line was the MTAC championship, and Lighthouse Christian was not going quietly into that good night Saturday. In the last half-minute, the Lady Lions were fouled and made one from the charity stripe, 40-39.
Some tense moments ensued as Lady Bronco junior Stephanie Mullins drew a foul and hit the free-throw line for two. Mullins missed the first but came through in the clutch sending the game into the first overtime, 40-40.
Mullins came through again in the first OT by tickling the twine outside the arc, giving Boyd Christian new life as the Lady Broncos were down, 52-49, before Mullins sent the game into double OT, 52-52.
In the second OT, the Lady Lions fell flat and would only score two points. However, Hoover and Mullins would combine for all 8 of Boyd’s points and secure a 60-54 upset victory over a team that has beaten them twice in the regular season. It gave the Lady Broncos the 2016-17 MTAC tournament championship.
“I was so proud of the way the girls played. They never gave up,” said Boyd coach Brent Warren. “They just kept working and finished the game the way I knew they could all year. This group of girls is a special group. Everyone contributes on this team.”
“They are the most unselfish group. They want each other to succeed. We play as one,” Warren continued. “We have had a saying over the last three years that you have to have five fingers to make a fist. A fist is stronger than an open hand. We played this game as a fist. We are playing in the NACA National Tournament in Dayton, TN starting on Wednesday at 2:15 EST. We are planning on bringing home a banner in that tournament also.”
Morgan Deweese was named MTAC All-Conference and was also selected as all-tournament. McKenzie Pistole and Rhiannon Hoover were also named all-tournament with Hoover being named tournament MVP.
The Lady Broncos aren’t done with basketball for the season just yet. They travel this week to compete in the National Association of Christian Athletes (NACA) national tournament held in Dayton as a Division VI contender.
Bronco Scoring: Rhiannon Hoover 22, Stephanie Mullins 17, Morgan Deweese 13, McKenzie Pistole 4, Erin Cantrell 4.