Clinton Prairie's Lady Gophers came to Memorial Gym in Flora last week. They brought with them some height and aggressive defense. They left with an overtime loss to the Lady Cougars 40-36.

The first quarter opened with aggressive defense by both teams. The result was poor shooting by both squads and a 5-2 Gopher lead at the quarter break. Between the first and second quarter the maintenance department removed the lids on both baskets allowing more shots to go through the rim and points being scored. Carroll used good rebounding and some hustle up and down the floor to fight their way into this game.

The Lady Cougars were able to build a 17-12 lead midway through the 2nd quarter. The tandem of Jess Yoder and Quinci Eller kept Carroll close. But Clinton Prairie used a flurry of baskets in the last 1:50 to take a halftime lead of 20-19.

The Gophers were able to extend their lead in the third quarter to 29-25. The Cougar press resulted in Gopher turnovers, but Carroll struggled to capitalize on the opportunities. Carroll closed to 27-25 on a 3-pointer by Abby Reinke. The Gophers countered with a basket at the buzzer to claim a 29-25 3rd quarter lead. Clinton Prairie opened the 4th quarter with a basket after a very patient offensive set and led 31-25. The Lady Cougars struggled to score in the first half of the quarter. Their troubles were compounded when Yoder picked up her fourth foul with 4:45 to play. The Gopher lead went to 33-25 on two front-ends of one-and-one free throws.

Then the tide swung the way of the Lady Cougars. With 1:18 left on the clock Yoder was fouled during a 3- point attempt. She converted 2 of 3 free-throws and things started clicking for the Cougars. Yoder fouled out with 1:14 to play. Kate Hickner replaced Yoder and immediately scored to bring Carroll within 4 at 33-29. Carly Yoder was inserted into the line-up. A foul was called against Carroll and the Gophers made one of two free throws to lead 34-29. Carroll in bounded to Eller who passed to Reinke and she drained a 3-pointer. Carroll was breathing again, down 34-32 with 0:40 on the clock.

After a time-out by Carroll, Clinton Prairie turned the ball over. Carly Yoder found Reinke for a lay-up and the game was tied at 34-34. The Gophers got a nice 14 foot shot that would not go and regulation time expired.

The overtime belonged to the Cougars. They outscored the visitors 6-2 in the 4- minute extra period. Prairie started the scoring with a 2- point basket after winning the tip-off and led 36-34. Reinke was able to score and tie the game at 36. Eller was fouled away from the ball and made 1 of 2 free throws for a 37-36 Carroll lead. The Gophers missed a lay-up and Carroll pushed up the floor. Sarah Griffin was fouled and went to the line to shoot two free throws. She made both and the Cougars were up 39-36. The Gophers missed a 3 on their next possession and Reinke rebounded and was fouled. She made 1 of 2 and that was the end of the scoring as Carroll held on 40-36. Prairie was not able to create any scoring opportunities in the last few seconds.

With the win the Cougars improved to 4-2. They were led in scoring by Reinke with14 second half and overtime points. She was followed by 12 from Jess Yoder and 10 from Quinci Eller.

The Lady Cougars' next games are Thursday at North White and home against Pioneer on Saturday.