Lloyd’s 3-pointer lifts Trojans

Southeastern rallies from 16-point deficit to edge West Liberty-Salem.

Becka Peterson (left) of West Liberty-Salem and Mona Ratliff (right) of Southeastern compete for a rebound during Thursday's game at West Liberty-Salem. Staff Photo by Barbara J. Perenic

Barbara Perenic Becka Peterson (left) of West Liberty-Salem and Mona Ratliff (right) of Southeastern compete for a rebound during Thursday's game at West Liberty-Salem. Staff Photo by Barbara J. Perenic

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Photos: West Liberty-Salem vs. Southeastern

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By Michael Cooper, Staff Writer Updated 10:57 AM Friday, December 9, 2011

WEST LIBERTY — Olivia Lloyd’s plan on the final possession was simple.

“I remember thinking, ‘Make sure (Jenna Erwin) has the ball,’ ” said Lloyd, a Southeastern High School senior guard.

Trailing 37-35 with 11 seconds remaining at West Liberty-Salem on Thursday, the Trojans had time for one last shot.

Erwin, who scored 11 of her 15 points in the fourth quarter, brought the ball down the floor, and looked for teammate Taylor Perry cutting off a staggered screen. When the play broke down, Lloyd found herself with the ball behind the 3-point line with two seconds remaining.

“I was wide open on every level, so I just shot it,” Lloyd said.

Lloyd’s last-second attempt found nothing but net as time expired, lifting the Trojans to a 38-37 come-from-behind Ohio Heritage Conference victory.

“(Lloyd) works her tail off in practice,” said Southeastern coach Jim Lightle. “It couldn’t have happened to a better kid. She does everything we ask. That’s a shot she’s going to remember the rest of her life.”

Senior post Becka Peterson had a game-high 20 points for OHC defending co-champ WLS, which fell to 3-2 and 0-2 in the league.

Southeastern (3-2, 2-0 OHC) trailed by 16 points in the third quarter, but kept chipping away at the deficit until pulling to within two points on two free throws by Perry with 48.4 seconds remaining. Perry had 7 of her 12 points in the fourth quarter.

It was the first time Southeastern had beaten West Liberty-Salem in three years, and its second straight 16-point comeback. The Trojans beat Catholic Central last Saturday after trailing by 16 in the third quarter.

“I can’t explain it,” Lightle said. “We stepped up when we had to. We had nothing to lose. I can’t ask for anything more from them. They never quit.”

The Tigers led 21-8 at halftime, and held Erwin to no points in the first half. But they scored seven points in the fourth quarter, and had troubling handling Southeastern’s press.

“We’ve just got to execute down the stretch,” said Tigers coach Dennis McIntosh. “All we’ve got to do is take care of the ball and they’re at least going to put you at the foul line. If you miss a foul shot, that’s one thing, but we never got to the free throw line.”

Lloyd, who took her junior year off after playing as a freshman and sophomore, has made four 3-pointers this season. None was bigger than the one she made Thursday, her first career buzzer-beater and only points of the game.

“I’m really glad I came back to play this season,” Lloyd said.

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