Tigers' season ends with 45-43 loss at Osceola

The season came to an end for the Northwestern High School girls basketball team with a 45-43 loss to Osceola in a Division 3 regional game Tuesday night in Osceola.

Both teams entered the game with 7-15 records, but it is the Chieftains who advance to play at Bloomer Friday night.

The Tigers got off to a good start with a 14-point first quarter but then struggled in the second quarter when they didn’t score until Lynsey Anttila’s basket got Northwestern within 17-16 with three minutes remaining in the first half.

Aliex Friend got the Tigers within 19-18, but Osceola finished the half with Madison Johnson’s 3-pointer and Megan Doll’s 2-pointer for a 24-18 lead at the intermission.

The Tigers found their range again in the third quarter and quickly tied the game at 24-24 on a basket by Katie Hansen, a 3-pointer by Anttila and a free throw by Friend.

A basket by Ally May gave Northwestern the lead back at 26-24.

After ties at 26 and 28, Amanda Ogren’s 3-pointer and May’s three-point play gave Northwestern at 34-30 lead at the midway point of the third quarter.

As wild as the early part of the third quarter was, the final three minutes were just as slow as Hansen scored the only points to give the Tigers a 36-30 lead heading into the fourth quarter.

The Chieftains regained control of the game with a 9-0 run for a 39-36 lead with just less than five minutes remaining in regulation.

Two free throws by Hansen stopped the run and got the Tigers within 39-38.

Johnson’s 3-pointer and Shauna Rein’s 2-pointer gave Osceola a 42-38 lead.

Alyssa Correll’s 3-pointer made it 44-41 and Northwestern called a time out with just over a minute remaining.

An Osceola free throw made the score 45-41 with 38 seconds remaining.

May’s inside basket got the Tigers within 45-43 with 13.2 seconds left. After a time out, Johnson was fouled and missed both free throws.

The Tigers moved the ball quickly up court but failed to get off a quality shot leaving Osceola with a 45-43 victory.

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