Box Score RICHMOND, Ind. - For a team that's already lost two games at the buzzer this season, Saturday had a familiar feel for the Midway women's basketball team.
Having battled back to turn a 16-point deficit into a six-point lead, the Eagles appeared to be headed to overtime with no momentum following a game-tying 3-pointer by Indiana East's Kennedy Griffin with 0.8 seconds to go.
But this time around, Sereniti Webb and Bree Howard elected to write Midway a happier ending.
Off a timeout, Howard floated a perfect pass to a cutting Webb, who got great position over two defenders for a quick catch-and-shoot that banked in right as time expired, lifting the Eagles to a much-needed 80-78 road win.
The basket capped a team-leading 17-point day for Webb, who was immediately mobbed by teammates and coaches on the floor afterwards, none more enthusiastic than head coach Kylee Gorby, who admitted she "wrote up nearly the same play" as one of Midway's buzzer-beating losses against Brewton-Parker on Nov. 11.
Prior to the final two baskets, Howard, who was in double-figures as well with 12 points, hit two free throws with seven seconds to play to ensure Griffin's 3-pointer would only tie the game and that her final assist would win it.
The outcome seemed even more unlikely in the first half. Following a nearly six-minute scoring drought, the Eagles found themselves trailing 33-17 halfway through the second quarter.
But the offense fared much better in the second half, shooting 9-of-17 in both the third and fourth quarter and taking the lead back when Jacie Chesser, who'd been scoreless to that point, opened the final period with seven consecutive points.
In addition to Webb and Howard, Kassidy Daugherty and Jermyra Christian were also in double figures with 15 and 14 points respectively. Both players had five points in the fourth quarter, where a Christian layup put the Eagles ahead 74-68 with under three minutes to play.
The win could also have major implications for the River States Conference tournament, as the Eagles and Red Wolves both entered the day at 4-7 in conference play. They'll meet again on the final day of the regular season in Midway Feb. 24.
Now 9-13 overall, the Eagles are back home for another conference game on Tuesday when they host Oakland City (Ind.) at 5:30 p.m.
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