Big time: Bollingberg hits game-winner to knock off Larks

Published 6:17 pm Saturday, March 2, 2019

ROCHESTER – It’s virtually impossible to top the feeling of winning a state title, but Lyle-Pacelli’s Abby Bollingberg came close in Mayo Civic Center Saturday.

Bollingberg knocked down a buzzer-beating, game-winning shot to knock off top-seeded and No. 2 ranked Grand Meadow by a score of 54-52.

Lyle-Pacelli’s Olivia Christianson looks toward the basket during the first half against Grand Meadow in the Section 1A semifinals Saturday at Rochester’s Mayo Civic Center. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com

GM tied the game at 49-49 when Skylar Cotten drilled a three-pointer with 10 seconds left, but that left LP with just enough time to get three shots off on its final possession. Bollingberg didn’t have time to think when she caught a pass from Myra Kraemer, who had pulled down an offensive rebound, and took the final shot.

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It’s a shot that Bollingberg, who had four points, will likely never forget.

“It’s pretty high up there,” Bollingberg said. “Obviously the state tournament is pretty good, but the atmosphere and then after they hit that shot and we took it with 10 seconds left. That’s unbelievable, that’s things you see on TV, not things that happen. I didn’t even realize what happened. I just shot it and looked up at the scoreboard.”

Lyle-Pacelli head coach Anna Meyer directs in the first half against Grand Meadow in the Section 1A semifinals Saturday at Rochester’s Mayo Civic Center. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com

LP head coach Anna Meyer was out of timeouts, but she had instructed her team to hurry if the Larks were able to tie the game with a three-pointer. Now LP, the defending state champs, are back in the Section 1A title game with a totally different roster.

“We knew that their chances of tying the game were great and we knew that if they scored, we’d have to get the ball in bounds quick,” Meyer said. “Every single one of our players contributed to that final play. It’s been pretty incredible how much every player has progressed and improved this season. If you would’ve told me at the beginning of the season that we would play in the section title game, I don’t think I would’ve believed you.”

The Athletics (23-4 overall) trailed by as many as 13 in the second half, but they were able to get back in the game when GM standouts Jordyn Glynn, who finished with 18 points and seven rebounds, and Riley Queensland, who had 20 points, both picked up their fourth fouls on back-to-back plays with eight minutes left in the game. The foul trouble allowed LP’s Olivia Christianson to attack the hoop at will and she finished with 24 points, while Lucy Nelson chipped in 15 points.

Grand Meadow’s Skylar Cotten fights through the defense of Lyle-Pacelli’s Rachel Nelson during the first half in the Section 1A semifinals Saturday at Rochester’s Mayo Civic Center. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com

“I was trying to make up for some points that we had lost,” Christianson said. “It was unfortunate that I wasn’t really making my free throws. We had an advantage of them being out. They’re really good defenders and they kind of get in your head. I found my aggression.”

The Superlarks (25-2 overall) closed final five minutes of the first half on a 9-1 run to take a 23-21 lead into the break. Queensland converted a three-point play to tie the game at 21 with 2:38 left in the half.

The Athletics will play No. 3 Goodhue in the Section 1A title game at 6 p.m. Thursday in Mayo Civic Center .

Grand Meadow’s Isabelle Olson guards Lyle-Pacelli’s Kayla Christopherson in the first half in the Section 1A semifinals Saturday at Rochester’s Mayo Civic Center. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com

LP 21 33  – 54
GM 23 29  – 52

LP scoring: Olivia Christianson, 24; Lucy Nelson, 15; Rachel Nelsen, 7; Kayla Christopherson, 4; Abby Bollingberg, 4; free throws: 74 percent (14-for-19); rebounds: 24 (Christopherson, 6; Bollingberg, 6); turnovers: 14

GM scoring: Riley Queensland, 20; Jordyn Glynn, 18; Skylar Cotten, 8; Masie Voigt, 4; Hailey Hindt, 1; Kiley Fenton-Musel, 1; free throws: 68 percent (15-for-22); rebounds: 27 (Glynn, 7); turnovers: 12