Ben Lippen’s Emma Cummings tries to get by Cardinal Newman’s Danielle Shaw. Photo by Jim Marczesky Emma Cummings hit a game–tying three pointer with two seconds left in regulation and the game–winning three in overtime as the visiting Ben Lippen Lady Falcons defeated the Cardinal Newman Lady Cardinals 46–45 on Tuesday, January 12.

The Lady Falcons (6–8, 1–1) got off to a hot start behind senior guard Elizabeth Hodges, who hit 3 three–pointers in the first quarter, and Ben Lippen used an 8–0 run at the end of the period to take a 13–5 lead after one period. Cardinal Newman (5–8, 1–1) cut the deficit to six at the half, 21–15, behind four points each from Danielle Shaw and Chelli Nottoli.

The Lady Cardinals came alive in the third quarter behind balanced scoring from Shaw, Nottoli, and Amanda Bolchoz, each of whom scored four points in the period. Ben Lippen tied the score at 30 as the game headed into the fourth quarter.

Cardinal Newman’s Amanda Bolchoz defends Ben Lippen’s Patricia Pascutti. Photo by Jim Marczesky Cardinal Newman took a five–point lead with 1:45 to go on a basket by Alex August, but Hodges hit another three to cut the lead to two. The Lady Cardinals had chances to extend the lead from the free throw line but converted only one of three shots. The Lady Falcons got the ball back with nine seconds to go, and they raced down the court, missing one three–pointer but getting the rebound, and Cummings sank her three from the left wing to tie the game at 41.

In the overtime period, Nottoli gave the Lady Cardinals a two–point lead with two free throws, but Anna Beth Cook tied the game with 1:45 remaining in the extra frame for Ben Lippen. Cummings then hit a three–pointer to give the Lady Falcons the lead.

Cardinal Newman’s Molly Rainwater makes a pass as Ben Lippen’s Elizabeth Hodges defends. Photo by Jim Marczesky Cardinal Newman got the ball back with about 20 seconds left and worked the ball around for a good shot, and Shaw hit a long two– pointer from right in front of the Cardinal bench. Unfortunately for Cardinal Newman, the players thought it was a three–pointer as they failed to try to foul the Falcon players and allowed time to run out on the game.

Hodges had 18 points for the Lady Falcons, and Cummings scored 17. Nottoli paced the Lady Cardinals with 15 points, and Shaw contributed 13.

Ben Lippen travels to Hammond on Friday, January 15, while Cardinal Newman travels to Augusta Christian.