#2 ranked Kelliher-Northome uses a strong second half to beat the WAO Ponies in the Section 8A semi-finals

The Warren-Alvarado-Oslo Ponies Girls Basketball team had a four-point lead at halftime, but a strong second half gave the Northome/Kelliher Mustangs a 66-55 victory in the Section 8A semifinals on Tuesday evening.

FIRST HALF
The first half was very stop-and-go to start, with four fouls called in the first 1:20. By the time three minutes had passed, the Mustangs had a 5-3 lead, with all eight points coming from the foul line. The Mustangs’ Kate Thayer grabbed an offensive rebound and scored for a 7-3 lead. WAO’s Macey Boe made a three-pointer, and after a Mustang basket, Boe added a basket. The Mustangs’ Thayer answered with a basket for an 11-8 lead. The Mustangs Lundeen made a three-pointer, but WAO’s Boe answered with a three-pointer before the Mustangs Thayer hit a three-pointer for a 17-11 lead almost halfway through the half. The Ponies answered with an Annie Peterson three-pointer, and Markelle Pederson added a layup to bring her team within a 17-16 deficit. Pederson made a pair of free throws, and Meila Pierce buried a three-pointer for a 21-17 lead. Northome/Kelliher’s Thayer stole the ball and went in for a layup before Kenley Marquis went in for a layup. After two Mustang free throws, WAO made two free throws for a 25-21 lead with 4:43 remaining. Northome/Kelliher’s Thayer answered with five straight points to take a 26-25 lead. WAO’s Boe answered with five straight points for a 30-26 lead. The Ponies Marquis added a basket with a few seconds left at halftime, and they took a 32-28 lead into halftime.

SECOND HALF
Northome/Kelliher started the half with six points to take a 34-32 lead before WAO’s Pierce made a three-pointer and Annie Peterson had a layup for a 37-34 lead. Northome-Kelliher continued their strong start to the half, scoring the next 10 points for a 44-37 lead six minutes in. The Ponies stopped the run with a free throw. The Mustangs led 46-40 before the Ponies stole the ball and Pierce made an acrobatic three-point play. After seven straight Mustang points, they led 53-43 with six minutes left in the game. WAO’s Marquis made a three-pointer at the top of the key to stop the run, but the teams exchanged baskets, and the Mustangs led 57-48. With 2:56 left in the game, the Ponies made one free throw and Marquis made a basket in the paint to brings WAO within a 57-51 deficit, but with 1:48 left in the game, Thayer made a basket for a 59-51 lead before the Ponies stole the ball and Pederson made a layup to get within a 59-53 deficit with 43.5 seconds left in the game. The Mustangs’ Thayer made two free throws for a 61-53 lead, and the Mustangs stole the ball and were fouled with 30.4 seconds remaining. Thayer made one free throw before the Ponies turned the ball over and the Mustangs’ Thayer made two more free throws for her 43rd point of the game for a 64-53 lead with 14 seconds left. WAO’s Boe made a basket, but Northome/Kelliher won the game 66-55.

WAO ends their season with a 25-4 record and will say goodbye to Jorie Miska, Annie Peterson, and Makelle Pederson. Northome-Kelliher is now 28-1 and will play the winner of Sacred Heart and KCC on Friday night.