Dec. 30--Free throws have tested Kiara Lewis' patience this season, but her 3-point shooting is another matter.
Young's senior point guard drilled two 3-pointers in the final eight seconds Tuesday night, including a 24-footer from the wing at the buzzer, to lift No. 4 Young to a thrilling 61-58 comeback win over No. 8 Benet in a semifinal at the Montini Christmas Tournament.
Lewis, an Ohio State recruit, buried a 3 from the wing with eight seconds left to tie the game 58-58. After a Benet turnover, Lewis calmly canned a deep 3 from the opposite wing to finish with 29 points.
In an early clash of Class 4A state title contenders, Young will play No. 1 Montini for the tournament championship at 8:15 p.m. Wednesday.
Despite Lewis' late heroics, her 6-for-14 performance from the free-throw line was her first thought after the game.
"I've just had a lack of focus on my free throws, but my heart was beating fast late in the game on those 3s," Lewis said. "Those were some long 3s. I was just hoping the last one would go in."
Young (10-3) erased a late deficit by attacking the offensive glass to the tune of 21 offensive rebounds.
"Other than rebounding, I thought we played a great game," Benet coach Joe Kilbride said. "Kiara made two great shots. They were NBA 3s."
Benet guard Kathleen Doyle, an Nebraska recruit, tallied 18 points and five rebounds. Doyle scored five straight points to hand Benet (13-2) a 56-51 lead with 3 minutes, 31 seconds left, but the Redwings committed two costly turnovers and missed their final three shots.
Bob Narang is a freelance reporter for the Chicago Tribune.
Player of the game: Kiara Lewis, Young, 29 points, 3 3-pointers.
Key performers: Benet -- Kathleen Doyle, 18 points, 5 rebounds. Elise Stout, 15 points. Young -- Isabelle Spingola, 16 points, 3 3-pointers.
