SIDNEY — Riverside’s girls basketball team was pushed to the limit, but the Pirates refused to go home without a win Wednesday in a Division IV sectional semifinal against Jackson Center.

Jackson Center mounted a frantic fourth-quarter rally that sent the game into overtime. However, the Pirates emerged from the extra period with a thrilling 60-59 victory.

Riverside’s Brooklynn Purtee looks to pass around a Jackson Center defender during Wednesday’s game at Sidney High School.

Riverside’s Kara Metz, right, and Brittany Shough celebrate after winning Wednesday’s sectional semifinal against Jackson Center. EXAMINER PHOTOS | AARON LaBATT

Jackson Center (3-18) overcame a 13-point deficit in the fourth quarter and tied the game 52-52 on a pair of free throws by Leah Hurley with 4.2 seconds remaining.

In overtime, Riverside’s Kara Metz and Brittany Shough hit some crucial free throws in the final 25 seconds and then fended off Jackson Center to hold on for the win.

“Kara and Brittany both hit some big free throws for us near the end there,” said Riverside head coach Dean Sanford. “Brittany really came up big being just a sophomore.”

Riverside led 37-24 after the third quarter, but had to deal with foul trouble throughout the game. Amelia Carter went down with a back injury in the first quarter, and two girls fouled out. During overtime, Riverside had two players with four fouls and another with three fouls.

“With Amelia out and Sara (Emerich) and Erica (Snapp) in foul trouble it made things very tough,” said Sanford. “Those three probably score around 65 percent of our points.

“We did have other girls and young kids step up, though. Metz took care of the ball for us and (Brooklynn) Purtee had another good tournament game.”

The Pirates led 15-10 after the opening quarter and held a 27-15 lead at halftime. A 10-9 run by RHS in the third quarter extended its lead to a 37-24 advantage.

“We didn’t use our inside game at the start of the game,” said Sanford. “We missed some easy buckets in the first half, too.

“I knew Jackson Center would come at us and they did with the press. We were a little too tentative on offense. We needed to stay aggressive, but we shut it down too early (in the fourth quarter) and I’ll take the blame for that.”

Metz and Emerich each had 14 points to lead Riverside in the win, with Emerich adding nine rebounds. Also for RHS, Brooklynn Purtee had eight points and seven rebounds, Erica Snapp tallied eight points and Abby Heaberlin had seven points and eight rebounds.

Riverside defeated Jackson Center 57-54 during the regular season.

Win or lose Saturday against Ft. Loramie, Sanford said he likes the progress the team has made.

“We’ve been getting better,” said Sanford. “This will be the first time in 19 years Riverside has been to a sectional final. So no matter what happens Saturday we will have taken a big step this year.

“Everyone knows Ft. Loramie is big and that they have some amazing players. We will do our best to try and slow them down.”

RIVERSIDE 60, JACKSON CENTER 59 (overtime)

RIVERSIDE (11-11) Purtee 3 2-2 8; Schindewolf 0 1-3 1; Snapp 3 2-3 8; Leiss 0 0-1 0; Metz 3 8-10 14; Heaberlin 1 5-6 7; Carter 1 0-0 2; Emerich 6 2-2 14; Shough 1 4-4 6. Totals: 18 24-31 60.
JACKSON CENTER (3-18) DeVelis 3 3-4 10; Winemiller 3 1-2 9; Cummins 7 10- 14 25; May 2 2-4 8; Souneis 0 0-1 0; Hurley 1 5-7 7. Totals: 16 21-32 59.

Pirates 15 12 10 15 8 — 60
Tigers 10 5 9 28 7 — 59

Three pointers: Jackson Center 6 (Winemiller 2, May 2, DeVelis, Cummins).
Rebounds: Riverside 46 (Emerich 9, Shough 8, Heaberlin 8).
Assists: Riverside 10 (Purtee 4).
Steals: Riverside 4 (Shough 2).
Turnovers: Riverside 33.
Team fouls: Riverside 23; Jackson Center 18.