The Euclid Lady Panthers basketball team earned their first win of the season last night in dramatic fashion; holding off GCC foe, Mentor, for a 52-51 win in double overtime.

The first quarter was mostly a feeling out process for both teams as neither really separated themselves on the scoreboard or dictated tempo.  Yajhaira Reid, De'Asia Huggins, and Alexis Reese all contributed baskets in the opening frame for Euclid.  At the end of the first quarter Mentor led 10-7.  This would be the last quarter that Mentor would have the lead.

The second quarter was a strong one for Euclid as the Panthers began to assert themselves inside the lane.  Reid, and Erin Miller were able to use heir driving abilities to get inside the lane and finish around the rim combining for 6 second quarter points.  Huggins worked hard on the offensive glass and had a put back basket and Reese continued her dominance inside the paint scoring two more baskets in the quarter.  The Panther defense also stepped up in the second quarter, holding Mentor to just 4 points in the quarter.  Euclid led going into halftime 19-14.  It is a lead the Panthers would not give up until deep into the overtime periods.

The second half began and the Panthers maintained their lead.  Erin Miller made a corner three in front of the Panther bench to keep the surging Cards at bay. Dajanay Bailey added a basket in the quarter and Reid made three out of four free throws in the quarter. Heading into the fourth quarter the Panthers maintained a 27-23 lead.

The fourth quarter featured an offensive explosion from both teams in relation to how the first three quarters went.  Euclid came out and built a 10 point lead 37-27 over Mentor with 2:16 remaining in the game.  Mentor cut the lead to 39-37 with 38 seconds to go in regulation.  Reid was fouled and went to the free throw line.  She was unable to convert the free throws, but Alexis Reese imposed her will on the rebound and put back to give Euclid a 41-37 lead with 32 seconds remaining.  On the ensuing possession Mentor would convert on a three point field goal to cut the lead to 41-40 with 16 seconds remaining.  Euclid inbounded the ball to Alexis Reese who was fouled and sent to the free throw line.  She converted on 1 out of 2 free throws to give Euclid a 42-40 lead with 15 seconds left in the game. Mentor found a player open around the free throw line and the shot hit the back rim and went high in the air and then fell through the net tying the game for Mentor and sending us into overtime.  This was the first time Euclid had not led since the second quarter.

Mentor scored on the first possession of overtime and grabbed their first lead since early in the second quarter. The Panthers immediately responded by going inside to Alexis Reese to tie the game back up at 44-44. After a Reid free throw, Mentor converted on an and one and re-took a 47-45 lead with 1:12 remaining in the first overtime.  On the ensuing possession for Euclid, one of the most unique plays you will ever see occurred.  Yajhaira Reid had the ball knocked away on her drive, the ball bounced between the defenders legs as Reid chased the ball down and reached back underneath the defenders legs to secure the ball and bank in a shot to tie the game at 47-47. Mentor would come right back and convert on another jumper to retake the lead with 21.7 seconds remaining. During the possession, Coach Lynn Phillips tried to call a timeout but it was not recognized and the ball was mishandled out of bounds giving possession back to Mentor with a two point lead and only 11 seconds remaining in the game.  Once again though, Alexis Reese came up clutch in a big spot for the Panthers. Instead of fouling right away on the inbounds pass, she was able to knock the ball away and steal it and draw a foul herself.  She went to the line with 6 seconds remaining and converted on both free throws to tie the game.  Mentor had a shot at the rim for the win but Yajhaira Reid came all the back and rejected the shot at the buzzer to save the game for the Panthers.

Mentor got on the board first in the second overtime with a free throw, but Reese rebounded another Panther miss and put it right back in to retake the lead at 51-50. Mentor would not score another point the remaining 2:15 seconds of the game as the Euclid defense did a great job contesting shots and cleaning up the defensive rebounds. With 1:06 remaining in the game, Joy Byous secured a defensive rebound and was fouled and sent to the free throw line.  She would split the pair giving Euclid a 52-51 lead and turned out to be the game winning free throw.  Mentor had a shot rattle around the rim as the buzzer sounded but it fell out and the Lady Panthers earned their first win of the season.

Leading Euclid was Alexis Reese with 17 points, Yajhaira Reid scored 14, Erin Miller had 9, De'Asia Huggins added 6 along with key blocks and offensive rebounds.

The win moves Euclid's record to 1-4 on the year and 1-4 in the GCC.  The next scheduled game for the Lady Panthers is Monday February 1st as we host Strongsville.