VILONIA -- The Vilonia Lady Eagles just keep finding a way.
Despite dressing out only nine players and playing seven, and going more than 13 minutes of the game between field goals, Vilonia rallied to defeat Farmington 39-33 on Friday.
Vilonia (17-3, 7-0 5A-West) tallied just one free throw in the third quarter, as its four-point halftime lead became a two-point deficit. Farmington's pressure defense gave Vilonia fits at times, but the Lady Eagles made their final 10 free throws to secure the victory.
"You've got to figure out what it takes to win, and we do a good job of that," Vilonia coach Alvin Riley said. "We got the shots we wanted, but we just couldn't buy a basket, so I told our point guard to slow it down. We made enough plays to have a chance at the end."
Farmington trailed 22-18 at halftime, and neither team scored for the first three-and-a-half minutes of the third quarter, but Taylor Smith broke the ice with a three-pointer. Trish O'Connell followed with a layup on a runout, and Farmington suddenly led 23-22.
Following a pair of missed free throws by Vilonia, Tahlon Hopkins made two from the line to increase the lead to 25-22. Cassidy McNespey scored Vilonia's only point of the quarter, making the second of two free throws with 3:08 left, and the quarter ended with Farmington up 25-23.
Abby Hightower, who scored a game-high 18 points, regained the lead for Vilonia with a three-pointer one minute into the fourth quarter. Kristi Duchanois' basket for the Lady Cardinals tied the score at 27-27, but Hightower made two free throws thirty seconds later.
Maria McPherson pulled Farmington even once again with a baseline drive with 5:12 to play. Vilonia then worked for a quality shot, and Sydney Wader hit a short jumper off the backboard for a 31-29 lead, which Vilonia would not relinquish.
Vilonia then shortened the game, running off much of the remaining time. Hightower cut into the passing lane for a key steal, and then made two free throws for a 33-29 lead with 45 seconds left. Farmington got to the line twice on its next possession, but came away with just one of four free throws. Lee, Hightower and Kelly Teer each made two free throws in the final 33 seconds for Vilonia.
Vilonia completed the first half of the conference slate unbeaten. Farmington (5-2, 12-3) was led by Tahlon Hopkins with 8 points.
FARMINGTON (33)
Tah. Hopkins 2 4-7 8, O'Connell 2 1-3 6, Tay. Hopkins 2 1-2 5, Duchanois 2 1-2 5, McPherson 1 1-2 3, Smith 1 0-0 3, Brown 0 1-2 1. Totals 11 9-18 33.
VILONIA (39)
A. Hightower 4 9-10 18, Wader 3 0-2 7, Lee 2 2-3 6, Teer 0 5-7 5, McNespey 1 1-2 3, K. Hightower 0 0-0 0, Gray 0 0-0 0. Totals 10 17-24 39.
Farmington;5 13 7 8 -- 33
Vilonia; 13 9 1 16 -- 39
Three-point goals -- Farmington 2 (O'Connell, Smith); Vilonia 2 (A. Hightower, Wader). Total fouls -- Farmington 19, Vilonia 13.
Sports on 01/31/2015