Cougars Fall on Buzzer-Beater, Danielson Sets Scoring Record

The most dramatic game of the 1A Round of 16 was the battle of M-C (8-seed, 10-15) and Randolph (9-seed, 12-14).  The Cougars hit four mid-first-half threes to lead 22-12. That edge was dwindled to 27-21 by halftime.  Out of intermission, the Rockets went on a 14-0 run to lead 35-27.  M-C struggled offensively (0-6 FGs, 7 TOs).  The Cougars fought back into it late.  Payton Danielson’s hustling offensive-rebound, and subsequent baseline-jumper, tied the game at 39 (3:20).  The basket also gave the 5’4” six-year senior guard 1,580 career points.  She passed Coranda Vickerman (1,578) as the Cougars all-time leading scorer.  Her make was M-C’s last.  Randolph went 14 straight possessions late without a point (0-10 FGs, 0-1 FTs, 4 TOs).  Then came their last possession.  They passed out the final 1:02, getting an off-balanced, not-in-the-flow, game-winning three from Megan Erickson at the buzzer for the 42-39 win!  Lauren Wyffels had a team-high for M-C (16 pts, 3-7 threes). She fouled out with around 5:00 left.  Danielson had a big double-double (15 pts, 15 rebs, 4 stls).  Erickson had 23 points (3-7 threes) to lead the Rockets.  M-C’s finishes at 10-16.  The Cougars won an earlier meeting 49-45.