Coming off a loss and playing without star sophomore Maddie Fitzpatrick, the Cheverus girls’ basketball team faced a daunting task Saturday afternoon when undefeated reigning Class AA champion Oxford Hills visited Keegan Gymnasium.
The Stags rose to the challenge with a statement victory.
Cheverus, which fell from the ranks of the unbeaten Friday night at Scarborough, erased an eight-point second half deficit by hitting huge shots and getting key stops to hand the Vikings their first defeat in two years, 62-59.
Sophomore Emma Lizotte led the way with 21 points and senior Hayley Jordan gave the Stags the lead for good with five quick points early in the fourth quarter.
“Overall, this is one of the best wins I’ve had,” said Cheverus Coach Billy Goodman. “Oxford Hills is really good. This is a big deal because last night was tough. For the girls to regroup like they did today was amazing.”
The teams combined for seven 3-pointers in a first quarter that ended with Cheverus (8-1) on top, 20-19, as Lizotte and Emily Bontatibus each scored six points.
The Vikings (10-1) went up by seven in the second quarter, but the Stags answered with a putback from Lizotte and a 3-pointer from Maeve Kelly to trail by just two at halftime, 31-29.
Oxford Hills then threatened to break it open when Sierra Carson scored six quick points to start the second half. After Cheverus again cut into the lead, a 3-pointer from Tristen Derenburger and a jumper from Molly Corbett made it 45-37.
Cheverus, though, soon went ahead on 3-pointers by Julia Kratzer, Lillie Singleton and Kelly.
Oxford Hills took a 47-46 advantage to the fourth quarter, but Jordan scored on a putback and then drilled a 3 for a 51-47 lead.
“I’ve been told to shoot when I’m open and I was pretty wide open on that one, and I just let it fly,” said Jordan.
The Stags opened up a nine-point lead, as Lizotte scored six straight points, and Oxford Hills never got closer than six until Carson banked in a 3-pointer from midcourt at the horn.
“(The Vikings) were undefeated, so now there are no undefeated teams (in Class AA),” said Lizotte. “This is another big step for us.”
“We really rallied together,” added Kratzer. “We kept answering. Having such a close-knit group really helps us.”
Jordan and Singleton each finished with 10 points for Cheverus.
Oxford Hills was led by Carson with 19 points and freshman Ella Pelletier with 12.
“(Cheverus) shot the ball very well at the key moments to stretch their lead,” said Vikings Coach Nate Pelletier. “They had us scrambling a little bit and we didn’t hit big shots when we needed to. We’ll go back to the drawing board and figure it out.”
The teams meet again Feb. 2 at Oxford Hills. Fitzpatrick, who is recovering from a thumb injury, is expected to be back for that one.
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