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Mineral Point won the rubber match against Cuba City 64-59 Saturday night to win a girls basketball regional title, but it didn't come easy.
The Cubans held a 5-2 lead early. The Pointers then went on an 8-0 run, but Cuba City cut it to 10-9 at the 10:00 mark of period one.
The Pointers looked like they were in complete control as they were ahead 30-19 by halftime.
The lead was mostly 12-14 points and got up by as many as 16 in the second half.
The Cubans cut it to 9 at 49-40 with about 9:00 left.
The Pointers led 58-49 (1:06 remaining) when the Cubans lost sophomore point guard Elizabeth Misky on fouls. A three pointer by Cuban freshman Parker Kopp made it 55-52.
Pointer sophomore Dana Schmitz made one of two free throws, but another three by Cuban freshman Jenna Droessler cut it to 60-55.
Schmitz again went 1x2 from the line and another Cuban freshman, Sophie Sander, sank two free throws for a 61-57 score.
With 12 seconds left, Pointer Mara Aschliman seemed to put the game away making one of two from the line.
But Cuba's Droessler was fouled attempting a desperation three. She made the first two tosses, but the third rolled out and her team nearly came up with the loose ball with :04.4 left. They didn't and they fouled Pointer freshman Nicole Johnson who calmly made two free throws for the 64-59 final.
Pointer senior Syd Staver led all scorers with 29 points, many coming on drives and free throws resulting from those drives. She was 10x10 from the line.
Junior Malorie Johnson added 11.
"It was special for the seniors to get this win, it being their last home game," Mineral Point coach Mitch Wainwright said. "Syd was able to create a lot of things tonight to keep the pressure on them. She also made a lot of tough shots."
He talked about his other three seniors, who are also starters, saying, "Cassie (Bossert) played tremendous defense as did Haley (Chubb). Destinee (Kruser) had a strong game with 8 points and a bunch of boards."
"We have played well our last two games. We're playing with a lot of confidence right now," Wainwright pointed out.
He also was quick to point out that freshman Nicole Johnson made two big free throws at the end.
Misky paced the Cuban offense with 13 points. Sophomore Courtney Busch hit two three pointers in the first half and finished with 10. Their lone senior, Morgan Vosberg, topped out her career with 8.
The Pointers go to Monroe Thursday night to take on Darlington at 7:00 in the Sectional Semifinal.
SCORE BY HALVES
CC 19 40-59
MP 30 34-64
BOX SCORE
CUBA CITY 59 (fg, ft, tp) Vosberg 3-2/2-8, Misky 3-6/10-13, Hartl 1-5/6-7, Kopp 2-0-5, C. Busch 4-0-10, Holzemer 1-4/6-6, Sander 1-3/4-5, M. Busch 0-0-0, Droessler 1-2/3-5. Totals 14-22/31-59. F-25. FO-Misky, Vosberg. 3-pointers: Misky 1, Kopp 1, C. Busch 2.
MINERAL POINT 64 Reichling 2-4/7-8, Staver 9-10/10-29, Kruser 4-0-8, Aschliman 0-2/4-2, James 1-0-2, M. Johnson 4-2/4-11, Schmitz 0-2/4-2, N. Johnson 0-2/2-2. Totals 20-22/31-64. F-20. FO-Staver. 3-pointers: Staver 1, M. Johnson 1.