Colony girls need OT to get by Wasilla

PALMER — The Colony Knights predicted they’d have a tough Northern Lights Conference schedule. If their first three games are any indication, it’s going to be quite the season.

Playing in its second overtime conference game in less than a week, Colony held on to earn a 52-47 in over rival Wasilla Tuesday at Colony High. Faith Farris was 6 of 19 from the free-throw line during the extra period to help the Knights improve to 1-2 in conference play.

Colony, which tipped off its NLC season with a 56-53 double-overtime loss to Soldotna last Friday, outscored Wasilla 12-7 during the overtime period. Izzy Tweed and Jennifer Solano had overtime baskets, and Solano was 2 for 2 from the line during overtime.

Tweed sparked Colony’s 5-0 run that opened the overtime period.

Wasilla freshman McKenna Dinkel used a rebound and putback with 11 seconds left in regulation to tie the game at 40 and force overtime. The Warriors trailed by as many as 15 points in the first quarter and 13 in the second, but used a late second-quarter run and another run in the fourth to send the game into an extra period.

Solano established her presence inside early, scoring eight of her team’s 19 first-quarter points. Farris hit a pair of threes in the first quarter, and Tweed hit another. Colony led 19-9 after the first.

Wasilla climbed back into the game with a 13-5 second-quarter run. The Warriors defense held Colony to only a pair of field goals in the second.

After trailing by double digits, Wasilla cut its deficit to a possession late in the first half with a Shayla Johnson three-pointer. After a Wasilla free throw, the Knights took a 24-22 lead into halftime.

The Warriors rallied again in the fourth, and took its first lead of the game at the 5:55 mark of the fourth with a Cassidy Edwards basket.

Tweed gave Colony the lead back, hitting a three-pointer with 2:35 left in the fourth. The Knights took a 40-38 lead with a pair of Faith Farris free throws with 1:25 left.

Junior Machia Toews recorded a pair of steals to help set up opportunities to tie and win the game. Toews’ first steal was followed by a Colony foul and a pair of Wasilla free throws. Wasilla missed both attempts, but Dinkel got the rebound and putback. Toews grabbed another steal during the final seconds, but the Warriors missed a late attempt for the game-winner.

Solano led the Knights with a game-high 18. Farris added 16 points, and Tweed scored 15. Johnson led Wasilla with 16 points. Amanda Hutchins added a dozen.

Colony improved to 1-2 in NLC play with the win. Wasilla is 2-2 after the loss.

Colony girls 52, Wasilla 47 OT

Tuesday, Wasilla High School

Wasilla 9-13-7-11-7—47

Colony 19-5-7-9-12—52

Wasilla (47) — Johnson 4 6-10 16, Baham 1 0-0 2, Hutchins 5 2-6 12, Dinkel 3 3-4 9, Edwards 4 0-4 8; Totals: 17 11-26 47.

Colony (52) — Farris 4 9-14 19, Tweed 4 2-4 12, Solano 8 2-4 18, Bonn 1 1-2 3; Totals: 17 14-29 52.

3-point field goals: Wasilla 2 (Johnson 2), Colony 4 (Farris, Tweed 2); Total fouls: Wasilla 22, Colony 24.