By Keff Ciardello.
Olivia Marzullo scored 25 points against the Bastrop Bears, but none more important than the last three – her final shot proved to be the clincher for the Lehman High Lobos to defeat the Bears, 58-55.
“We could have hung our heads, we could have given up but we fought to the end,” said head coach Jamie Coy. “There is a unity to this team that kept us in it and that is why we came out victorious.”
The first half started with multiple lead changes but the Bears took control of the game in the second quarter, taking a 34-28 lead into halftime.
Lehman guard Olivia Marzullo dishes the rock in the Lady Lobos’ game against Bastrop on Nov. 26. Marzullo’s 25 points, which included a game-winning three pointer in the waning seconds, helped Lehman gut out a 58-55 win over the Lady Bears at Lobo Gym. (Photo by Moses Leos III) |
The Bears would extend their lead to as much as eight pointsbut Marzullo kept finding ways to keep the Lobos in the game. With 4:45 left in the third, Marzullo stole the ball, pump-faked, then missed the shot but hustled around everybody to grab her own rebound and put it back for the score, making the score 38-37.
“Olivia (Marzullo) is a hard working senior,” said coach Coy. “Both at practice and at games, she works hard on the court.”
The Lobos were down by two, 43-41, heading into the fourth quarter. A deep two by Lauren Fowler tied the game at 47 but the Bears would rally to take a 55-49 lead with just under two minutes left to play.
A couple of quick scores brought them to within 55-53, but it was Starr Rivers nailing two free throws with 41 seconds remaining that tied the game.
Bastrop traveled on its next possession, giving Lehman the ball back with 25 seconds on the clock. After the ball was knocked out of bounds with 19 seconds left, the Lobos moved the ball around until they found Marzullo. She made the game winning shot from the left side corner with just eight seconds to go.
Marzullo and Fowler are developing into a nice one-two punch, as they combined for 40 of Lobos 58 points. Marzullo finished with 25 and Fowler scored 15 points.
“They (Marzullo and Fowler) are working on hitting each other, finding each other,” said Coy. “They both hustle, they both work hard and then they help bring the team along. They don’t quit, they don’t stop and they make sure that if they’re not scoring, that they create opportunities for others to score. “
The Lehman Lobos improved to 3-3 after the win. They will participate in the Lady Rebel Classic this weekend.
