Holy Cross was the hotter-shooting team on Thursday night, but fouls and Highlands free throws helped the Bluebirds to a 59-43 win in the Ninth Region opener.
Just over halfway through the opening quarter, Holy Cross had an early 10-2 lead, helped by two of the 10 three-point shots the Indians dropped over the game.
That was when Emma Riccobene made two free throws and Kelsey Listerman made two more to cut the lead to 10-6. When Kara Krumpelman made another three-pointer for Holy Cross, Listerman took two back from the charity stripe. The 10-2 Holy Cross lead fell to a 16-10 lead and then a 27-27 tie at halftime.
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The Indians dropped three three-pointers in the third quarter, responding to each of the Highlands shots. When the Bluebirds took a 30-27 lead to open the third quarter, Aleah Arlinghaus and Elizabeth McCoy made it a 33-30 game for Holy Cross. McCoy ended the third quarter with another three for a 37-34 advantage entering the fourth quarter.
Fouls went from a problem to a serious Holy Cross issue in the fourth quarter. While it took less than three minutes for Holy Cross to reach five fouls in the second half, Highlands didn't go into the bonus until there was 4:16 left in the game.
Those fouls added up and Julia Hunt, Holy Cross's second-highest scorer, fouled out of the game 41 seconds into the fourth quarter.
"When Hunt fouled out, that really changed the game for us," Highlands head coach Jaime Richey said. "We were able to do some things inside and defensively we could do some more things because we didn't have to worry about her in the block."
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Hunt fouled out as Highlands cut the Holy Cross lead to 37-35. Rory O'Hara tied the game 37-37, but Holy Cross retook the lead with a single free throw with 5:40 left in the game. It was the final lead Holy Cross took in its season.
A Mallery three in response started up a 13-0 Highlands run that forced a 50-38 advantage. The clock had just seconds running when Holy Cross broke the run, but Highlands ended the game making six of its seven free throws, keeping Holy Cross down.
"I had four seniors that stepped up and had double digits tonight," Richey said. "That's what we're going to have from now on.
With the victory, Highlands won its 20th game of the year and advanced to the Ninth Region semifinals where the Bluebirds will meet Dixie Heights Saturday at Holmes. The teams met at the end of January when Dixie Heights took a 36-33 victory.
"It's another game," Richey said of Highlands' upcoming meeting. "We play a very talented team in Dixie. We're going to have our hands full, but we're going to come and be prepared to play them."
Holy Cross ended its season with a 16-9 record.
Holy Cross (16-9): McCoy 2 0 6, Hunt 2 1 5, Arlinghaus 3 0 7, Krumpelman 3 0 8, Wimzie 0 2 2, Bottom 5 0 15. Totals: 15 3 43.
Highlands (20-6): Harris 1 3 5, Green 1 0 2, Listerman 4 5 13, Mallery 4 6 16, RIccobene 3 7 13, O'Hara 4 2 10. Totals: 17 23 59.
Halftime: T 27-27. 3-pointers: H 2 (Mallery 2); HC 10 (Bottom 5, McCoy 2, Krumpelman 2, Arlinghaus).
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