Kara Kauffman made the game-winning shot with 1.7 seconds left in double overtime to help Riverside’s girls basketball team outlast host Northwestern 35-33 in a non-league contest Monday night. The Pirates are now 11-10 on the season.
“We got a tough win tonight,” said Riverside head coach Bryce Hodge. “We made it harder on ourselves because we sent them to the free-throw line 35 times. On the flip side, we only shot eight free throws. It’s hard to win games when we send the opponent to the free-throw line that much. We need to be more disciplined defensively and stop fouling so much.
“I am extremely proud of our team for playing hard and getting the tough road win. Kara Kauffman won the game for us by sinking a floater with 1.7 seconds left, getting fouled, and making the free throw to put us up 2. I am so proud of Kara for stepping up in the big moment. We have plenty of room for improvement before Thursday.” The Pirates got off to a slow start, falling down 10-4 at halftime.
However, Riverside warmed up in the second half, outscoring the Warriors 19-13 to knot the score at 23-23 at the end of regulation.
The score was again tied after the first overtime to force a second extra period.
Lauryn Sanford led the Pirates with 12 points. Kauffman had five points and Allison Knight, Kirstin Schlumbohm, Amber Waters and Olivia Perk each added four points.
Riverside’s junior varsity team lost 27-24 in overtime. Kaelan Copas had 12 points and Trinity Notestine added eight for the Pirates.
Riverside wraps up the regular season Thursday against Upper Scioto Valley in a varsity-only contest.