Three times this season the Perry girls have failed to score 16 points in an entire game. Thursday they lit the scoreboard for 16 points in the fourth quarter to pull away from Ogden for a 46-35 non-conference victory.
Perry (2-9) snapped a difficult nine-game skid that had seen the team struggle in multiple areas, but none of that was evident Thursday, especially in the second half, and, most critically, in the final eight minutes.
Ogden (4-6) was riding a three-game winning streak and held a narrow 15-14 lead after one quarter. The teams were tied, at 19-all, at the break, but the Bulldogs twice opened small leads in the third quarter, daring the hosts to respond.
The Jayettes did just that. Trailing, 31-30, entering the fourth quarter, Perry went on an 8-2 run to grab a 38-33 lead with five minutes to play.
Key defensive stops, with Gabby West and Isabel Saemisch grabbing important rebounds, helped fuel a second 8-2 run that finished the game. Perry played with emotion and hustle down the stretch, with multiple players making key contributions.
Sophomore guard Molly Lutmer buried four 3-pointers en route to scorching the nets for a game-high 25 points. Grace Stewart had nine points and made several aggressive plays on offense in the waning moments to help assure the win.
Alyssa Kruger knocked down two key 3-pointers in the second half for six points, with West adding four points while freshman Quinn Whiton’s two points were the basket that put Perry ahead for good at 32-31.
Abby Langel had 18 points for the Bulldogs, with Denaili Klocker adding seven points. Four points from Allea Klauenberg, three from Meredith Adreon, two from Gabby Ross and a free throw from Ashton Boggess capped the Ogden scoring list.
