GIRLS BASKETBALL Bergman keys rally for United

The junior scored nine points in overtime to top South Range, 52-50.
BY ERIC HAMILTON
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
HANOVERTON -- Trailing South Range by 13 points late in the first half, the United High girls basketball team had two choices -- accept defeat or play a better brand of basketball.
Apparently, Ashley Bergman made e junior scored 11 points in the second halher own decision and it turned out to be the right one for the Golden Eagles.
Thf and all nine of United's points in overtime to lift the Eagles to a 52-50 victory over South Range Monday night.
Bergman finished with a career-high 28 points.
"Ashley was everywhere tonight," explained United (4-2) head coach Matt Ziegler. "She was shooting the ball well, getting rebounds and just single-handedly got us back into the game. She was playing with a lot of confidence out there tonight.
"I thought Danielle Altenhoff did a nice job for us tonight rebounding the ball and scoring inside. We could have packed it up when we were down, but I was proud of how we never let up and found a way to win the ball game."
Bergman did most of her damage after collecting her fourth foul late in the fourth quarter. She was able to be just aggressive enough to score, but cautious enough to know when not to commit her final foul.
"I just tried to only do what I needed to without getting that last foul," Bergman said. "This was a total team effort. We just had to get over that hump, and after we did, we got some confidence. This win feels pretty good."
Early lead
Overtime was the last thing on anyone's mind in the game's early stages. South Range put together an 11-0 run to jump out to a 28-15 lead with 1:57 left in the first quarter.
Kelly Skrinyer had the hot hand for the Raiders in the opening half, scoring 11 of her team-high 14 points before halftime. The Raiders maintained a 10-point cushion in the third quarter behind a strong effort from Jodi James, who scored eight of South Range's 11 points in the quarter.
The Raiders owned a 39-29 lead heading into the fourth quarter. But Bergman and United outscored South Range 14-4 in the fourth quarter to get back into the game.
Bergman completed a three-point play with 3:44 left to bring the Eagles to within 41-38. Krista Reeder's free throw cut the deficit to 43-41 with 51 seconds left. Bergman then hit a short jumper with 33 seconds left in regulation to tie the game at 43-all after 32 minutes of play.
In the extra session, Bergman outscored South Range 9-7. Her basket at the 2:21 mark put United ahead for the first time at 46-45.
Tara Chizmar put the Raiders back on top (47-46) with 1:25 to go in overtime. But that was the Raiders' last lead of the game.
Pulling ahead
Bergman's 3-pointer put the Eagles ahead to stay at 49-47. She added three free throws, including two with eight seconds left that gave United a 52-47 advantage.
Even Skrinyer's 3-pointer with one second left wasn't enough to deny the Eagles their fourth win of the season.
"We had the lead, but we just let United back in, and they ended up winning the game," said South Range (3-3) coach Brad Porinchak. "We let Bergman get the best of us. We didn't hit some shots we should have and didn't box out on rebounds.
"We're looking for some consistency for four quarters right now. We did the same thing against East Palestine -- we got a lead and let them come back. We just have to get back to practice and get ready for league play.
Bergman led United with 28 points, while Altenhoff chipped with 11. Skrinyer paced South Range with 14, James added 12 and Jessie Clayton and Tara Chiznar each scored seven.