PANORA — Panorama rallied in the fourth quarter to pull away in the final minute Saturday and claim a 56-53 win over Class 2A No. 9 Mt. Ayr. The win came 24 hours after the Panthers had a much easier time with WCAC foe Ogden, dispatching the host Bulldogs, 73-28.
Mt. Ayr (7-2) led, 21-19, at the half and entered the final period with a 40-37 edge. Panorama (7-2) eventually seized a 48-47 lead with two minutes remaining, fell behind, 51-50, and then tied the game at 51-all as the final minute began to click away.
Angel Poldberg came up big on multiple occasions. Her rebound and outlet to Laci Rishel led to Rishel sinking 1-of-2 at the line for a 52-51 lead with 32 seconds to play.
A Polberg steal set up a Rishel layup for a 54-51 Panther edge with 26 seconds remaining. The Raiders converted two free throws to close the gap to 54-53 with eight seconds still on the clock, with Payton Beckman draining a pair at the line with 2.3 ticks on the scoreboard, clutch shots which pushed the score to 56-53.
A desperation 3-pointer at the horn was off the mark, leaving the hosts with the upset.
Beckman had 21 points, Rishel 14 and Ella Waddle nine, with Anna Holloway adding six points, Poldberg four and Shey Storesund two.
Poldberg had 10 rebounds, Waddle five caroms and four steals and Rishel two blocks, with Beckman making six thefts, grabbing five boards and blocking four shots.
Sam Stewart had 23 points and Jaycee Knight 12 to lead the Raiders.
Friday’s game had no such drama, as Panorama ran out to a 23-4 lead after one period. The margin stood at 53-15 at the half leading to the win.
Beckman had 26 points and Rishel 22, with Waddle scoring nine points, Poldberg seven, Holloway five and Storesund and Gabby Welberg two each.
The Panthers splashed 10-of-21 3-pointers, with Beckman 4-of-5, Rishel 3-of-5 and Waddle 2-of-4 behind the arc to lead the gunners. Beckman had five rebounds and two blocks, Holloway six assists and Waddle five, with Poldberg rejecting three shots.
Gabby Ross led Ogden with 11 points, with Kaleigh Badker adding seven.
Panorama visits West Central Valley Friday in their next action.
