They came back from six down in the second quarter and were losing 34-33 with 3:18 remaining in regulation, but sophomore Meghan Schiano knocked down a trey in the final two minutes to put the Cadets ahead for good in their 39-37 girls’ basketball victory over host Gates-Chili.
Hilton trailed 16-10 in the second quarter but rallied behind a pair of free throws by Brienne Stike and consecutive three-pointers from senior Allyson Strauss.
The Cadets outscored the Spartans 11-7 in the third quarter to open up a 31-27 lead, but Gates-Chili began the final stanza with three field goals to a Linzee Reyes jumper to tie the game 33-33.
Gates-Chili took a one-point lead on a free throw before Schiano’s three-pointer. Reyes followed with a free throw and Strauss hit a jumper from the left flank to give the Cadets a five point advantage.
The Spartans converted one of their three chances over the final 36 seconds, but a scrambling defense secured the Hilton win that improved their record to 6-4.
“They are big and athletic and lay good defense—they are a tough team,” Hilton head coach Jeff Eichas said about Gates-Chili. “It was tight the whole way, but we made it hard for them to get a good, quality shot for most of the second half.”
The Cadets had six players record four or more points with Strauss and Schiano leading with eight each. Chloe Graupman had six points, Reyes five, Meaghan McGwin four as did Alyssa Juergens, who added a team-best eight rebounds.
