BY DEREK WILEY
Two missed free throws in the final 20 seconds of regulation kept Lansing (2-1) alive.
And the Lions took full advantage as senior Skylar Weaver knocked down a 3-pointer to send the game into overtime.
Lansing then carried over that momentum into the extra period, defeating Topeka West 58-53 Tuesday in his home opener.
“We keep fighting and we push through adversity,” Weaver said. “I’m proud we won that game.”
Senior Erika Linaweaver made two free throws to give Lansing a 42-41 lead with 1:16 remaining. But the Lions couldn’t run out the clock as a steal and layup by Topeka West senior Jazmyn Ford put the Chargers back on top, 43-42, with 50 seconds to go.
“I think the biggest thing for us moving forward as a coaching staff is trying to figure out in practice how to put us through drills or situations where we just have to value the possession a little bit more,” Lansing coach Pierce said. “Topeka West did everything that we thought they were going to do and better and they put us in some situations that we didn’t want to get into that we warned our girls about. Hats off to them.”
Ashlynn Jaccard
Leading 44-42, Topeka West junior Zoe Clark went to the free throw line with 12.2 seconds remaining. But after making the first shot, Clark missed the second and Lansing sophomore Addison Callaway found Weaver for the game-tying 3.
“I definitely didn’t shoot as well as I usually do,” said Weaver, who finished with 12 points. “My shooting was a little off, but towards the end, I knew I needed to kick it into gear. I wanted to do it for my team. I was a little surprised that they (Topeka West) didn’t come out on me and it (3-pointer) was wide open.”
A putback by junior Ashlynn Jaccard gave Lansing a 47-45 lead in overtime and the Lions never trailed again.
“That win is all about them and what they did to persevere and to keep fighting through the adversity and sticking together,” Pierce said.
Jaccard finished with 14 points.
Callaway, who played freshman basketball last season, led the Lions with 16 points.
“She did a great job attacking the rim and being aggressive,” Pierce said. “I’m proud of her for that.”
Addison Callaway
Linaweaver, another player with little varsity experience, added 12 points, including nine in the first half.
“I definitely think they’re stepping up to the plate and fighting adversity and really coming together as a team,” Weaver said. “I’m really proud of you.”
Next up, Lansing travels to Piper (2-2) on Friday.
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