(Unioto's Amber Cottrill drives to the bucket in their title win over Southeastern)
A late three-pointer by Unioto senior guard Summer Sigman was the dagger that helped lift the Lady Shermans to a 49-46 win over Southeastern, creating an SVC co-championship between the two teams. The win also stopped the Lady Panthers SVC record 40-game win streak.
Southeastern took the early lead, jumping out to an 8-0 start, before Unioto got on the scoreboard. By the end of the first quarter, the Lady Tanks had cut the margin to 14-12, and forged a 21-21 to late in the second quarter, before grabbing their first lead at 23-21. SE tied the game at 23-23, but Unioto's Amber Cottrill drove the left side of the lane for a lay-in that ended the first half with Unioto taking a 25-23 advantage.
The Lady Panthers held the lead at 36-32 after three periods, only to see the contest see-saw back and forth the rest of the way.
Leading 46-44 in the final half-minute, Sigman hit her trey on the left side of the arc to give Unioto a 47-46 lead. When Southeastern turned the ball over on their next possession, the Panthers had to foul which took Ella Skeens out of the game on her 5th foul. Amber Cottrill hit two free throws for a 49-46 lead with 3.7 seconds remaining. SE was unable to get a good final shot from mid-court as the game ended.
Unioto had three players in double figures, led by Amber Cottrill's 14 points. Summer Sigman finished with 13 and Cree Stulley with 10 points and 6 rebounds. Jocie Fisher was also big with her 8 rebounds. Ella Skeens led the Lady Panthers with 19 points, while Rachel Collins added 11 points and 8 rebounds.
Defense was the name of the game for both teams, as both displayed a more physical style play that left very few uncontested shots for both teams. Unioto shot 15/47 for only 32%- including 5/16 from the arc, to go along with 14/17 at the foul line. Southeastern was only 13/48 for 27%- including 2/12 from the arc. They also were 18/25 from the foul line.
The fourth quarter saw Unioto shoot 50% at 4/8 while Southeastern was 2/13 for 15%.
Unioto committed 20 turnovers to Southeastern's 14 and both teams grabbed 30 rebounds.
Both teams conclude their regular season with identical records of (13-1/18-4).
Unioto 49: Amber Cottrill 14, Summer Sigman 13, Cree Stulley 10, Jocie Fisher 6, Emily Coleman 3, Carly Adkins 3
Southeastern 46: Ella Skeens 19, Rachel Collins 11, Skylar Hice 8, Mandy Morris 4, McKinley Mitten 4
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