Southern Tier Sports ReportALBANY — The Elmira Express girls’ basketball team capped their weekend in Albany with a 66-58 win over Averill Park in overtime.
“This was a great team win,” Elmira coach A’Don Allen said. “Especially coming off a tough loss yesterday. Our kids responded the right way. They made plays, stayed together, and showed a ton of resilience when Averill Park made their run late and pushed the game into overtime.
“Ava Roberts came up big in the second half and again in overtime. Tamiah Brown played her best game of the season. Meya Smith played tough and stayed composed while battling through foul trouble. Mariah Matias gutted it out on a bad ankle, and every kid on our roster gave us something meaningful when we needed it. This weekend in Albany was a valuable experience for our program. We were challenged, we were tested, and we learned a lot about ourselves. Proud of the response, the growth, and the way our kids competed.”
Elmira trailed 13-9 after one quarter, but scored 17 second-quarter points to lead 26-22 at the half. The Express led 41-34 after three quarters, before a 19-point fourth by Averill Park to send the game to overtime.
Matias had 18 points, four coming in overtime and eight in the third quarter.
Ava Roberts scored eight of her 14 points in the overtime period and Avery McCauley had 10 points, six in the opening quarter,
Brown had nine points and Smith had seven points in the game.
Kayvonna King and Abbi Valicenti had three points each and ZyAsiha Cade finished with two points.
