The California Lady Pintos rode an eight-game winning streak heading into the Hermann Tournament last week as the No. 3 seed. On Tuesday night, California faced the New Haven Shamrocks with a resounding 62-27 victory after senior forward Lauren Friedrich posted eight three-pointers, a career-high. However, California's plans for another appearance in a tournament championship game were disrupted by a 57-50 loss to the Owensville Dutchgirls on Wednesday. California now had to play in a rematch against the Columbia-Battle Lady Spartans for the third-place prize. Two weeks earlier, California and Battle met in the championship game of the California Tournament, where California stole the game and the tournament title in overtime.
When the game began, California got off to a slow start with turnovers on their first three possessions. Battle was quick to capitalize and jumped out to a 9-1 lead to begin the game. However, California was not deterred and began to work their way back into the game. Spearheaded by the sharp shooting of Friedrich and the tough interior defense of junior center Ella Bailey, California clawed their way back to tie the game 22-22 with a minute left in the first half. Then, with than a minute left in the first half, Lady Pintos freshman guard Tayte Higgins hit a straight-away three-pointer off the bench to put California ahead 25-22 going into the locker room.
The two teams stayed close again in the third quarter with Battle grabbing a 37-36 lead going into the fourth quarter. In the fourth quarter, the tide of the game began to swing in Battle's favor and the Lady Spartans put the Lady Pintos on the ropes with just over 3 minutes remaining and a 45-37 lead. Battle looked to be on the verge of winning the game and getting payback against California, but just as she had done before, Friedrich began to lead the Lady Pintos back in the game. California staged a surprising 7-0 run to make the game 45-44 with 10.7 seconds left. With the ball in their possession, California put the ball in Friedrich's hands. To the surprise of Battle and the crowd, Friedrich passed the ball off to Bailey, who made an uncontested layup to give the Lady Pintos a 46-45 lead with 3.4 seconds left.
Bailey's layup appeared to be the final blow, but Battle still had one more chance to win the game. On the final possession of regulation, Battle sophomore guard Jaleah Brookins came up with an offensive rebound and was fouled with 0.4 seconds left. Brookins, who missed two free throws in the final minute of regulation on Jan. 14, stepped up to the foul line for two free throws to possibly win the game. Brookins missed the first free throw, but made the second free throw to send the game into overtime, tied at 46-46.
It was the second time in two weeks that California and Battle had played in a game that went to overtime. Battle seized control of overtime and scored the first five points of the extra session. Despite another comeback attempt by California, Battle never relinquished their lead in overtime and held on for a 56-54 overtime win after California missed a half-court shot at the buzzer. California went 1-2 at the Hermann Tournament and took home fourth place.
In Friday's loss to Battle, California shot 31 percent from the floor, 27 percent from three-point range and 69 percent from the free-throw line. Battle shot 42 percent from the field, 28 percent from downtown and 68 percent from the free-throw line. Friedrich led California and all scorers with 20 points, eight rebounds, two steals and a block. Friedrich also set a Hermann Tournament record with 13 three-pointers in the tournament with eight threes against New Haven and five threes against Battle.
California Head Coach Bobby Sangster admitted he didn't coach his best game Friday night and Battle took advantage of the mistakes that were made by both himself and his team throughout the game. Sangster also said the biggest factor in the closing minutes was Battle got to the loose balls and made the most important plays when the game was on the long, which was what California did in their Jan. 14 matchup.
"Battle came out and proved why they were the number one seed in the tournament. They're a state-ranked Class 6 program and we knew when we played them in our tournament that they were a great ball club. We just happened to get the bounces and make enough plays that day to get the win. Tonight, their girls did that and our girls didn't," Sangster said. "Lauren's teammates did a heck of a job helping her break that tournament record. It wasn't just her. She'll be the first one to tell you that she didn't get those shots off without her teammates. It's all in the girls and how they play from here on out. If they come out and they learn from what we did this week, then good things will happen. We've got a long way to go and a lot of good teams we have to play before districts."
The Lady Pintos (15-5) will look to get back in the win column when they play the Smith-Cotton Lady Tigers on Thursday night in Sedalia.
Junior center Ella Bailey (left) played an important defensive role for California in the Hermann Tournament. (Democrat photo/Evan Holmes)
Freshman guard Tayte Higgins (right) boxes out the Battle defender while going for a rebound. (Democrat photo/Evan Holmes)
Junior guard Isabelle Rohrbach puts California on the board at the foul line against Battle on Friday night. (Democrat photo/Evan Holmes)
Junior center Ella Bailey shoots two free throws for the Lady Pintos against the Lady Spartans at the Hermann Tournament. (Democrat photo/Evan Holmes)
Senior forward Lauren Friedrich (left) wins the opening tip for the Lady Pintos against Battle on Friday night.(Democrat photo/Evan Holmes)