Ottawa girls strike late, Princeton boys early in basketball victories

OTTAWA — In Monday’s girls/boys basketball doubleheader at Kingman Gymnasium, the Ottawa girls used a late burst to post a 54-49 win over the Princeton, while the Tigers boys raced to a 20-point lead early in the second quarter in an eventual 54-38 triumph over the Pirates.

The games were originally scheduled for January 21 but were postponed due to cold weather.

GIRLS

Ottawa 54, Princeton 49

After a 10-all first quarter deadlock, the Pirates trailed for much of the game, including 27-20 at the half and 46-39 with just under four minutes to play.

“We were down seven at half, it was going to be an uphill climb,” said Ottawa coach Brent Moore, his team improving to 18-7 on the season. “We knew our energy on the defensive side needed to change, so we put a little more pressure on them in the second half. Another key was we started to make shots and we figured we would, but we needed to be better on the defensive end.

“It was one of the nights where we just found a way. These types of games you don’t ask too many questions about how you did it, you just move on and get ready for the next one.”

A 3-pointer and two free throws by Ella Schmitz and a triple by Marlie Orlandi with 2:16 on the clock gave the hosts their first lead of the game.

The Tigresses' Olivia Mattingly’s 3-pointer 10 seconds later gave her team a 49-47 lead.

With just over a minute to go, the Pirates' Mary Stisser sank the first but missed the second of two free throws. Orlandi snagged the offensive rebound, and the ball eventually found Skylar Dorsey in the left corner where she buried a 3 to give Ottawa a 51-49 lead.

The Pirates then made 3 of 4 free throws in the final seconds to close out the win.

Orlandi led Ottawa with 20 points, including five 3s, five rebounds, while Schmitz netted 16 points with four rebounds. Dorsey ended with nine points and Stisser five points and seven assists.

Princeton (15-9) was led by 18 points from Camryn Driscoll, 10 points from Mattingly and nine points, five rebounds, six assists and three steals from Keighley Davis.

“I thought we played very aggressive on both ends of the floor tonight” Princeton coach Tiffany Gonigam said. “We played Ottawa back in December here at the holiday tournament and we lost 50-something to 20-something. We’ve obviously made progress since then.

“That said, this one stings. We had the game right where we wanted it in the final minutes and then Ottawa made a couple of big plays to take the lead.”

Both teams are back in action Tuesday. Ottawa is at Normal U-High and Princeton hosts Seneca.

BOYS

Princeton 54, Ottawa 38

The Tigers exploded to a 20-2 first quarter lead as they sank made 8 of 9 shots, including all three attempts from beyond the arc, while the Pirates missed 11 of their 12 shots.

Noah LaPorte (five rebounds, four assists) had 10 of his 16 points in the opening eight minutes, while Jaden Fulkerson and Jordan Reinhardt, both also finishing with 16 points and four steals, added five each in the early-game blitz.

“We haven’t gotten off to very good starts lately, so the number one thing on the board tonight before the game was to start strong and bring the energy,” said Princeton coach Jason Smith, his team evening its record at 12-12. “We did and maybe that is something I need to have at the top of the list every game.

“I thought we played about as well as we can defensively for four quarters, we were very scrappy. Yes, they missed some shots, but I also thought we did a great job of closing out on shots. We also rebounded the ball pretty well, limiting them to one and done.

The Tigers, which finished 23 of 39 (59%) from the floor, held a 32-10 lead at half and 39-21 advantage heading into the final quarter.

Ottawa, which finished 15 of 50 (30%), was led by 13 points and 14 rebounds from Owen Sanders.

“We weren’t able to match Princeton’s intensity,” said Ottawa coach mark Cooper, his club falling to 9-11. “I thought they played with a lot of energy and a lot of force, and we weren’t at that level. I need to have us ready to go, and obviously weren’t as sharp as we need to be right from the first quarter.

“We also needed to do a better job of matching their physicality. It just wasn’t a very good night for us. We’ll regroup, and all the credit goes to Princeton. They played a solid all-around game.”

Ottawa returns to Kingman on Tuesday against Morris, while Princeton travels to take on Mendota on Friday.