BALTIMORE - In a game which featured a pair of incredible endings, the Harford women's basketball team (23-6) defeated Baltimore City, 85-83, in overtime of the 2014 Region XX Championship Game. The Fighting Owls return to their second-straight District Tournament.
In a back-and-forth affair, Harford pulled away late in the second half, leading by as many as 11 points twice. As they did in the previous two contests, both BCCC wins, the Panthers grew stronger down the stretch and continued to cut the lead. A pair of free throws from Iman Scott knotted the game at 72-72 with 1:25 remaining.
Monique Cheek and
Capree Garner connected on back-to-back jumpers to give Harford a four-point lead, which was extended to 77-72 with three seconds to go. A triple by the Panthers and an untimely turnover by Harford set the stage for another buzzer-beater by BCCC. A put-back at the buzzer sent the game into overtime, 77-77.
Harford led throughout the extra session, but once again, Baltimore City fought back. Leading 85-82 in the final seconds, Harford corralled a BCCC rebound and tried to dribble out the clock. Running into trouble, the Fighting Owls called a timeout that they did not have, forcing a technical foul on Harford.
BCCC made one of the two free throws and missed a desperation attempt to extend the game and Harford had claimed the title.
Capree Garner led all scorers with 36 points and nine rebounds. She made all four of her 3-point attempts and paced the attack in the extra frame.
Ashley Smith and
Dasha Moore added 20 and 17 points, respectively.
Harford travels to Rochester, N.Y. to face the Region XV Champion on March 7 at 7 p.m. in the District Championship Tournament. The winner of that game will advance to the District Final on March 8.