For a long while, it appeared that the Oneida girls basketball team would secure a season-altering victory over New Hartford in Monday night’s home contest.
But a furious comeback by the Spartans, with some last-second excitement thrown in, left the Indians on the wrong end of a painful 44-43 defeat.
This game had three distinct segments. Throughout the first half, baskets proved precious on both ends, as neither side could dominate.
Trailing by just one point at the break, 20-19, Oneida appeared to take control in the third quarter, outscoring New Hartford 17-7 to seize a 36-27 lead.
However, the Spartans had its own answer, reversing the numbers down the stretch, slicing Oneida’s lead to 43-41 as the clock went to the final seconds. Stephanie Furgal, with 20 points, and Ashley Chantry, with 14 points, led New Hartford’s rally.
Following a missed free throw, Oneida had the ball, but then turned it over. New Hartford could tie or win it, and Oneida’s defense swarmed on Furgal and Chantry. But that left Kara Sellars open beyond the 3-point line. Sellars took the shot with five seconds left — and made it. It proved to be the game-winner.
Courtney Casler led the Indians with 13 points, with Ashley Hillenbrand close behind as she got 12 points. Morgan Murawski added eight points as Beth Kann, the main offensive threat for much of this season, got seven points.
