Balko Overcomes Big Deficit to Advance past Red Oak

The Lady Bison erased a nine-point hole to move on to the Class B semifinals.

Thursday, July 28th 2011, 6:09 pm

By: News On 6

Balko Overcomes Big Deficit to Advance past Red Oak

Originally Published: Mar 3, 2011 10:6 PM CDT

Gerald Goodridge
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer
OKLAHOMA CITY -- Balko didn’t take its first lead until 6:25 was left to play, but the Lady Bison led when it counted and topped Red Oak 49-45 Thursday to advance to the Class B semifinals.

Including Balko’s first lead, the game’s dramatic closing quarter saw the lead change hand six times en route to a Balko win.

The Lady Bison trailed by three to start the fourth quarter, but scored the first two buckets of the fourth to take a 34-33 advantage. Red Oak’s Cheyenne Booth responded with a turnaround in the paint to retake the lead on the Lady Eagles’ next possession. Kendra Coleman added a free throw to push the lead to 36-34.

The squads traded baskets and Red Oak held a 41-39 advantage as the game wound down. However, Balko’s press continued to force turnovers and the Lady Bison worked the paint.

Freshman post Madison Dearmin continued to operate down low and her turnaround in the paint scored the first two of six consecutive points for the Lady Bison. That run gave Balko a 43-41 lead in the game’s closing minutes, a lead they wouldn’t give up.

Red Oak threatened and forced the Lady Bison to convert from the free throw line; a call they answered, closing out the game to move on.

Dearmin and sophomore Jaylee Mays finished tied with a game-high 14 points, while junior Kelsie Stephens added 10.

Booth led the charge for the Lady Eagles with 13 points, with Coleman contributing 12 – nine of which came from behind the arc.

The Lady Bison now move on the semifinals to take on the Corn Bible Academy Lady Crusaders at 4:30 p.m. Friday.