New London-Spicer beats Sauk Centre in final seconds

New London-Spicer coach Mike Dreier isn't hesitant to put the burden on the shoulders of sophomore guard Shea Oman.

Oman converted an old-fashioned three-point play with 4.5 seconds remaining, giving the Wildcats an emotional 49-46 victory over No. 2-ranked Sauk Centre in the Class 2A semifinals Friday night at Williams Arena. Oman scored all 10 of her points in the second half.

"That's always a tough spot to put a sophomore in," Dreier said. "I have to give her credit, she got it done."

Dreier called a timeout with 10.6 seconds left, setting up Oman on the final play. She was able to lose Sauk Centre sophomore guard Maesyn Thiesen with a behind-the-back dribble and convert the layup as she was fouled by junior guard Jill Klaphake. She also made the free throw and a short time later was celebrating as Sauk Centre missed a desperation three-pointer.

"I had been struggling with my layups tonight," Oman said. "He felt I was going to be able to make a play. I'm just thankful the shot went in."

The Mainstreeters (30-2) tied it at 46-all on Thiesen's steal and layup with 49 seconds left. She had a game-high 20 points.

Oman had given the Wildcats a 46-44 lead with another driving basket 30 seconds earlier. She also made two free throws with 3:04 left to pull the Wildcats within one.

The Wildcats (25-6) overcame a seven-point deficit with 5:57 remaining. They closed the game on a 14-4 run. Senior Megan Thorson and junior Kabrie Weber, both forwards, paced Dreier's squad with 12 points apiece.

Plainview-Elgin-Millville 87, Roseau 78: Plainview-Elgin-Millville sophomore center Hayley Dessner walked off the court at halftime, her face beet red. She was exhausted after a frantically paced opening half against run-and-gun Roseau.

It became more excruciating in the second half. The only difference: Dessner was able to exit the floor with a huge smile.

Dessner scored 23 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, leading the No. 1-rated Bulldogs past Roseau 87-78 in the Class 2A semifinals. They are making their first state tournament appearance as a combined program with Elgin-Millville, the Class 1A state champion in 2005.

"It was very exhausting," Dessner said. "We run the ball a lot, but we had to hustle back and play defense, too."

"I had to come back after halftime and do a little bit more," Dessner said. She had nine points on 2-for-8 shooting from the floor and three rebounds at halftime. "Usually, I get a couple of more breaks, but the team needed me tonight."