By: Dana Becker
Messenger Sports Staff
It took a little extra longer than she would have preferred, but Iowa Central head women's coach Sabah Dickerson was happy about the end result.
After seeing a fourth-quarter lead evaporate, the Tritons pulled out a 92-86 win over Northeast here Wednesday night in triple-overtime.
Freshman Kaitlyn Tendal tallied the first five points of the final extra session, as Iowa Central scored the first nine points to avenge an earlier loss to Northeast in Nebraska.
Aleaha Pommer, a former Fort Dodge Senior High standout, scored a team-high 24 points with four made 3-pointers and six rebounds, while Tendal added 16 with eight rebounds. She was also a perfect 8-for-8 at the free throw line.
For the Hawks, Analyssa Maldonado had a game-high 31 points, going 7 of 14 from the 3-point line. Stevi Fallis joined her in double figures with 19, while Marta Pons had eight points and 11 rebounds.
"This win was incredible," Dickerson said. "I have to give credit to our students, pep band and fans for giving us an electric atmosphere."
Northeast pushed the pace down the stretch in the fourth, causing several turnovers that resulted in buckets. They were able to erase a seven-point deficit in the final five minutes, tying the contest at the free throw line after the Tritons went ahead, 64-62.
Iowa Central (11-9 overall, 4-5 in ICCAC) had a chance to win it but was unable to convert from deep.
In the first overtime, Maldonado drained a triple after several offensive rebounds by Northeast, sending the game to a second OT tied at 69-all. The Hawks missed six free throws in the period and failed to connect on 10 consecutive shots overall from the line.
Both teams missed scoring chances in the final moments of the second extra session after exchanging the lead on matching 3-pointers.
"Our team demonstrated a lot of positivity and fight, especially as we battled through the overtime periods," Dickerson said. "We continue to challenge this group on execution.
"The ICCAC is tough, night in and night out. It feels great to get this win back over Northeast."