Zanesville girls survive against Hamilton Township

ZANESVILLE – With a 21-point lead in the fourth quarter Thursday night, 16th-seeded Zanesville was coasting to victory.

However, No. 29 Hamilton Township didn’t go away quietly.

The Rangers trimmed a 49-28 deficit to six in the final minute before the Lady Devils escaped with a 54-47 victory in the Division I tournament at Winland Memorial Gymnasium.

Zanesville made 3-of-14 free throws in the final two minutes, allowing the Rangers (14-9) to stay close.

“I was happy with how we played for 27 minutes, but the roof caved in during the last five,” Zanesville coach Jeff Moore said. “We did what we needed to do to start the second half and (were) able to increase our lead. We got into a lull thinking the game was over.”

The Lady Devils (19-5) now will play second-seeded Newark in the district semifinal at 7 p.m. Tuesday at a site to be determined.

“I voted them the No. 1 seed and, when healthy, I think they are a final four team,” Moore said of the Wildcats. “We know it’s going to be a challenge. We have to come with energy and do our best to stay in it and give ourselves a chance at the end.”

Rebounding kept the Rangers close early. They had an 11-7 edge on the glass in the first quarter and shot 50 percent (7-of-14), but Lexi Draughn hit a 3-pointer at the first-quarter horn to put Zanesville up 19-14.

Defense allowed the Lady Devils to expand their lead to 28-16 at halftime. Zanesville kept the Rangers without a field goal on 12 attempts — Josie Kasprzak hit two free throws for their only points — while Destiny Johnson had six points to pace the Lady Devils’ offense.

Johnson opened the third with a 3 off of a second-chance opportunity, and Devyn Bonner scored seven of her game-high 22 points as the lead remained in double figures and was 43-27 after three.

Zanesville opened the fourth on a 6-1 run. Bonner converted a three-point play and Draughn scored on a putback for a 49-28 edge with six minutes to go before Hamilton Township made a late surge.

Rebounding and balance allowed the Lady Devils to take control after the first quarter. They finished with a 32-28 advantage on the glass and held the Rangers to 17-of-40 shooting, including 4-of-16 on 3s.

Bonner had nine rebounds, Tasia Staunton grabbed six boards, Johnson contributed 12 points and four assists, and Karissa Weekley had seven points, six assists and five rebounds for the Lady Devils, who were 20-of-46 from the field and 11-of-33 at the foul line.

“We were more active and were able to finish strong around the hoop in the second half,” Moore said. “Destiny, Karissa and Kenzie (Newsom) all hit some shots, and Tasia helped keep some plays alive.”

Kasprzak finished with 14 points, Dee Dee Edwards chipped in 12, and Lauren Longbrake scored 11 for the Rangers.

bhannahs@zanesvilletimesrecorder.com

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Twitter: @brandonhannahs