by Warren Kozireski
Playing without senior forward Maria Jackson for much of the game due to an ankle sprain suffered three days earlier, the top seeded Cadets dropped a 42-34 decision to ninth-seed Victor in Class AA2 quarterfinal action.
Despite the absence, the Cadets led through almost the entire first half before a late trey put Victor up at halftime by one point.
Hilton was held to just six points in the third quarter on baskets by Bryn Mulholland, Stephanie Herbert and Lauren Anton, but Victor led by five after three quarters.
Hobbling on a gimpy ankle, Jackson entered the line-up in the final minute of the third and played the fourth. She was held scoreless, but the Cadets rallied playing in their regular positions.
Amy Hasenauer led the rally hitting a pair of free throws to open the fourth, a three-pointer and short jumper to bring the Cadets to within two points of the lead with 3:15 remaining.
But an Anten jumper in the final 63 seconds was the last offense Hilton could muster as Victor hit both ends of three consecutive one-and-ones down the stretch to seal the win.
Hilton was just 4-of-15 from the free throw line in the contest. Hasenauer led the Cadets with 12 points while Mulholland and Anten each added eight.
