New Palestine High School

The New Palestine girls basketball team used a 3-point barrage in the second quarter to rally from an early 14-point deficit, then locked things down defensively in the second half to beat Triton Central 43-37 Tuesday night. The Dragons won their third consecutive game at home, and the second straight home game in which it trailed by double digits. Allie Blum scored two quick baskets to give the Dragons a 4-2 lead, but NP then struggled on both ends, as TC's Brooklyn Bailey scored five quick points to touch off a 16-0 run. After coach Craig Moore called his second timeout of the quarter - moments after Maryrose Felling hit a 3-pointer to give TC an 18-4 lead - Kenna Tweedy drilled a 3-pointer at the top of the key to cut the deficit to 11. The Dragons then got hot in the second quarter. Kendra Moore hit an early triple, but the Dragons trailed 24-10 after Felling hit a 3-pointer and Bailey a free throw and basket. But the Dragons just kept coming back. Sadey Hughbanks hit a 3-pointer, Moore hit one, Allie Blum added one and Hughbanks then hit three more to give the Dragons a 28-26 lead. Hughbanks then scored off an inbounds play in the final seconds of the half to score 14 points in the quarter and put NP up four at the half. The Dragons scored the last 17 points of the quarter and finished on a 20-2 run. They did so without guard Vivian Miller, who was battling foul trouble. NP's seven 3-pointers in the second quarter eclipsed their season high for a game - which had been six Dec. 22 at Southport. The Dragons shot a career-high eight triples, all in the first half. They scored 24 consecutive points off 3-pointers. The second half was a defensive tussle. TC scored the first four points of the half. Miller and Kylee Beranek scored to give the Dragons leads, but TC answered with a 3-pointer by Haley Harris to go up 35-34. Immediately, Natalie Sevier - who had just entered the game - answered with a three-point play to re-take the lead at 37-35. It would be the Dragons' last field goal, coming late in the third quarter, but the Dragons locked TC down in the fourth. TC's Lucy Spall scored early in the fourth to tie the game. Shortly thereafter, Blum hit two free throws to put NP up 39-37. The Dragons then held TC scoreless for the last six minutes of the game. NP had opportunities to extend its lead, but missed two free throws and had four consecutive turnovers, but the Dragons' defense kept forcing misses and turnovers on the other end. With 32 seconds left, Hughbanks grabbed a rebound and was fouled. She hit both free throws to put the Dragons up 41-37. The Dragons forced TC to take nearly 20 seconds before getting a shot, which it missed. Blum was fouled with seven seconds left and hit two more free throws to ice the game. Hughbanks led the Dragons with 16 points - one shy of her career high. She scored 14 in the second quarter and hit four 3-pointers. Blum added 11 points. Moore hit two second-quarter 3-pointers and scored six. Tweedy and Sevier scored three points each. Beranek had two, as well as a number of big rebounds and some strong defense. Miller also scored two. The Dragons are now 9-9 on the season. They play Friday at home against Pendleton Heights with an opportunity to draw into a first-place tie in the Hoosier Heritage Conference race.