Mercy Hits Game Tying Three That Wasn't
By: Thad Brown
Updated: February 27, 2013
Danielle Fuss nailed a wild 3-pointer in traffic with four seconds left
that tied Mercy with Irondequoit in their Class AA2 semifinal.
Except it wasn't.
The Eagles didn't call timeout and missed what almost everyone thought was a chance to win the game at the buzzer. As both teams headed toward their benches to prepare for overtime, it was discovered the refs had called Fuss' shot a two-pointer.
Just like that, the game was over.
The call itself was never in dispute. Although three points went up on the scoreboard, the referees had indicated the shot was worth only two from the moment it was released. In the chaos of a buzzer-beating situation, the Monarchs and Eagles just didn't notice.
Savannah Crocetti hit a three pointer with just under two minutes left to play that broke a 42-all tie. After a Mercy bucket, Jennifer Reininger converted a three point play to put Irondequoit up four.
Mercy was still down four with 15 seconds left, but Megan Cleary banged in a deep three to pull the Monarchs within 50-49. Reininger made two free throws with 13 seconds left to make it 52-49 and set up the crazy finish.
Reininger led all scorers with 17 points (going 9-for-9 from the free throw line, with four coming in the final two mintues) while Crocetti scored 14, including three 3-pointers, for Irondequoit.
Angela Spampinato and Cleary led the Monarchs with 10 points apiece.
Irondequoit moves on to face (5)Athena in the title game Friday night at Roberts Wesleyan. The Trojans held off (9)Victor 52-44 in the nightcap at Mendon Tuesday.
Except it wasn't.
The Eagles didn't call timeout and missed what almost everyone thought was a chance to win the game at the buzzer. As both teams headed toward their benches to prepare for overtime, it was discovered the refs had called Fuss' shot a two-pointer.
Just like that, the game was over.
The call itself was never in dispute. Although three points went up on the scoreboard, the referees had indicated the shot was worth only two from the moment it was released. In the chaos of a buzzer-beating situation, the Monarchs and Eagles just didn't notice.
Savannah Crocetti hit a three pointer with just under two minutes left to play that broke a 42-all tie. After a Mercy bucket, Jennifer Reininger converted a three point play to put Irondequoit up four.
Mercy was still down four with 15 seconds left, but Megan Cleary banged in a deep three to pull the Monarchs within 50-49. Reininger made two free throws with 13 seconds left to make it 52-49 and set up the crazy finish.
Reininger led all scorers with 17 points (going 9-for-9 from the free throw line, with four coming in the final two mintues) while Crocetti scored 14, including three 3-pointers, for Irondequoit.
Angela Spampinato and Cleary led the Monarchs with 10 points apiece.
Irondequoit moves on to face (5)Athena in the title game Friday night at Roberts Wesleyan. The Trojans held off (9)Victor 52-44 in the nightcap at Mendon Tuesday.
