When the Liverpool girls basketball team paid a visit to Central Square on Thursday, three years and 10 days had passed since that famous night where the Warriors and West Genesee played four overtimes before the Wildcats prevailed 86-76.
Little did the Warriors know that, with a different lineup on the floor, it would again find itself drawn into a game that went well beyond regulation – and that, again, it would end up on the wrong side of the decision.
This one went three OT’s, not four, but the Redhawks defeated Liverpool 63-61, thwarting an upset bid by the Warriors against a Central Square side that sat at 8-4 going into the night.
Each of the halves in regulation followed a pattern. The Redhawks grabbed a 15-12 edge by the end of the first quarter, only to have the pace slow down an the Warriors tied it, 23-23, going into the break.
A cold third quarter left Liverpool trailing by five, 34-29, but it again made a comeback, making big stops and forging a 42-42 tie that sent the game into extra frames.
The first OT saw little production. At 47-47, another overtime was required as, time and again, the two sides squandered chances to end it, so at 53-53 a third OT was needed.
Only now did the Redhawks inch out in front and stay there, seeing five players – Kalie Schumaker (15 points), Breanna Ransom (12 points), Lizzy Straub (11 points), Schyler Laux and Lauren Bell (10 points each) – reach double figures.
On the Warriors’ side, the long battle allowed for several outstanding individual efforts, starting with Laura Patulski, whose double-double consisted of 14 points and 14 rebounds.
Drew Dufrane had 17 points, adding seven rebounds, five assists and five steals, while Jenna Wike gathered up 17 points of her own, adding four steals and two assists. Donyai Starling managed 11 rebounds and Danielle Akins finished with seven points.
Entering last Tuesday’s game with Marcellus riding a six-game losing streak, Liverpool was seeing its post-season hopes slip away, and were bound for another defeat before Wike led another late-game comeback to stun the Mustangs 51-46.
Tied 8-8 after one period, Liverpool appeared to be in trouble as Marcellus gained control in the game’s middle stages, streaking through the Warriors’ efenses and getting a 40-33 lead by the end of the fourth quarter.
But when the Warriors picked up its pressure, the Mustangs did not respond well, and the result was Liverpool outscoring them 18-6 in that final period to snatch the victory.
Wike, with 25 points and six steals, and Donyai Starling, gaining a double-double of 11 points and 10 rebounds, led the rally and carried a Liverpool attack that saw no other player score more than Drew Dufrane’s total of five points. Liz White led Marcellus with 15 points, including three 3-pointers.
Now looking for another big win, Liverpool visited Central Square, having no idea just how memorable the night would be, regardless of the outcome.
