MUSTANG – Putnam City North started fast, gave up a big lead and recovered to win in overtime, 65-61, against Classen SAS Saturday (Dec. 30) for the girls’ consolation title in the Bank 7 Mustang Holiday Classic.

The Lady Panthers (9-2) sprinted out to a 12-0 lead. From there it was a fight with the Lady Comets (8-6).

By halftime, the North lead was only one point as Classen shot 50 percent from the field. Lady Panther coach Logan Martin knew tightening up the defense was the key to a win.

“We talked about how defense is our identity, and when we’re playing fast and playing hard defensively, our offense comes a little easier,” Martin said. “At halftime, our message was to keep the intensity defensively.”

In the third quarter, North fell behind partly due to Classen guard Skylar Durley. The junior finished with 24 points and 10 rebounds on 8-of-16 shooting.

The Lady Panthers’ deficit was four points going into the final period when the defense tightened and that led to offense.

Junior guard Nykaiya Dillard cut the lead to one, scoring off a designed inbounds play at 5:37 mark. Dillard followed by swiping the ball, leading to a 3-pointer from senior guard Alaysia Burroughs, giving North a short-lived lead, 51-49.

The Lady Panthers had weathered Durley, but now they had to survive Classen forward Kara Busby. The senior scored four of her eight points in the next two minutes. Coupled with a bucket from sophomore Makiya Moore and a couple of free throws, Classen’s lead swelled to four.

Then, defense led to offense again for the Lady Panthers, specifically defense from guard Nini Geretta. The sophomore grabbed two keys steals and got a bucket to tie the game, 57-57, late in the game.

Beretta’s defensive performance didn’t surprise Martin.

“That’s really where she’s matured this year.  Even when she’s not scoring the ball well, she, she’s a key, a key part for us defensively,” Martin said. “She’s got great hands, gets her hands on a lot of balls.”

North controlled the overtime period where defense again led to offense. The extra period started off with another Beretta steal and the Lady Panthers hit just enough free throws to pull away for the win.

“They did well at controlling the overtime for the most part and just not forcing shots and trying to maintain the lead once we got it early,” Martin said.

North had four players in double-figures. Burrough had 14 points with four treys. Dillard added a double-double with 12 points, 10 boards and three blocks.

Martin said Dillard “plays a lot of bigger” than her 5’8” frame.

“She’s huge for us when she’s playing aggressive and helps us on the boards a lot.” Martin said. “I was really proud of her.”

Sophomore guard Tehlia Kutsoati also scored 12 points. Senior guard Nevaeh Sanchez finished with 11 points on 4-of-8 shooting and four rebounds before she fouled out in overtime.  

Despite the consolation title and only one loss – against Class 4A defending champion Bethany on the opening day of the tournament, Martin characterized the team as “going through a slump.”

“We talked about this last game. Let’s try to get back on track, kind of where we left off from (the) Norman (tournament). So, I’m really glad to see that we still have that, that in us, that fight,” Martin said.

After giving up 50 percent shooting in the first half, Classen cooled just under 40 percent in the second half and overtime.

“We used our zone (defense) quite a bit,” Martin said. “We obviously have a size disadvantage, so just trying to stay active in our zone and not get, not get relaxed and still play it aggressive and hard, but really pack the pace and force the outside shots.”

UP NEXT: The Lady Panthers will compete in the Putnam City Invitational hosted by sister school Putnam City Jan. 4-6. North faces a tough task in the first day of the round robin format, taking on another sister school, Class 6A power, Putnam City West, Jan.4 at 6:30 p.m.

TEAM	1	2	3	4	OT	F
Classen SAS	10	18	19	10	4	61
Putnam City North	17	12	15	13	8	65