Wasilla senior hits game-winner in final seconds in victory over Colony

The Wasilla girls took another step in their pursuit of the top seed in the upcoming Northern Lights Conference tourney.

Senior Mielee Merchant knocked down a floater from the base line with about 15 seconds left to push the Warriors to a 47-45 win over rival Colony at Wasilla High.

Wasilla improved to 7-1 in NLC play with the win, and moved into a first-place tie with Mountain City Christian in the conference standings. The Warriors make the trip to Anchorage to play the Lions on Feb. 24.

Colony dropped to 5-2 in the NLC with the loss.

Merchant scored six of her team-high 14 points in the fourth. Colony’s Taylor Passard hit a pair of three-pointers in the fourth, and led Colony with 19. Passard tied the score at 34 with her first three in the quarter, and used another to give the Knights a 37-35 lead.

Savannah Kroon used a three to push the Warriors ahead 40-37.

Wasilla didn’t trail again. But the Knights did use buckets by Morgan Ainsworth and Emma Bailey to tie the game late at 45.

Kroon added 11 for Wasilla. Bri Parrent finished with nine.

The Wasilla boys used a double-digit rally to help the Warriors earn the weekday evening sweep. The Warriors needed a 20-11 fourth-quarter run to edge Colony 67-66 in the nightcap.

Colony jumped to a 23-13 first-quarter lead, and by nine at halftime.

Aiden Pharr led all scorers with 24 for the Warriors. Triston Horton added 18.

Mylz Mongeau led Colony with 21.

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