Hamilton Heights used an outstanding performance from the free throw line to stun Class 3A No. 4 Benton Central 52-39 in the third-place game of the Hoosier Conference playoffs on Friday.
After a long road trip to the Bison’s gym, the Huskies trailed BC 12-8 after the first quarter. But Heights outscored the Bison in each of the next three quarters, leading 17-16 at halftime. The Huskies then took care of business in the second half, scoring 35 points while holding Benton Central to 23.
As a team, Heights made 30 of 33 free throws, or 90.9 percent. Leading the way was Bayleigh Runner, who went 17-of-18 from the line on her way to 22 points. Payton Dissett added 12 points and Jillian Osswald scored 11. Lauryn Wiley led the rebounding with eight, with Runner and Mykayla Moran both collecting five rebounds.
“Great bounce back win against a really good and well-coached Benton Central team,” said Huskies associate head coach Susan Lester. “Our girls showed tremendous poise and did a great job handling their pressure all night – made free throws down the stretch – great team win.”
Heights is 11-10 overall and will play its regular-season finale Thursday at Lafayette Jefferson.
Hamilton Heights 52, Benton Central 39
Heights FG FT TP PF
Jillian Osswald 2-7 7-8 11 3
Bayleigh Runner 2-5 17-18 22 3
Payton Dissett 3-10 4-4 12 4
Lauryn Wiley 2-4 2-2 7 3
Abby Christiansen 0-0 0-0 0 3
Mykayla Moran 0-2 0-1 0 2
Totals 9-28 30-33 52 18
Score by Quarters
Heights 8 9 15 20 – 52
Benton Central 12 4 9 14 – 39
Heights 3-point shooting (4-11) Dissett 2-5, Runner 1-2, Wiley 1-2, Osswald 0-2.
Heights rebounds (22) Wiley 8, Runner 5, Moran 5, Osswald 2, Dissett 1, Christiansen 1.