STORY BY ROB KISER - PIQUA DAILY CALL
At halftime Wednesday, the Piqua girls fifth and sixth grade girls basketball players and coaches were recognized.

What the Lady Indians varsity did in the second half against Sidney at Garbry Gymnasium made the night even more memorable.

With a strong and vocal group of fans behind them, Piqua rallied from a 13-point first quarter deficit to stun the Lady Yellow Jackets 45-43 in a GWOC North game.

It was Piqua’s first conference win in two years and the first time in four years Piqua has won at least two games in a single season.

“This is huge,” Piqua coach Brad Allen said. “I can’t say enough about the kids and the way they played tonight. There is no question this is a big win. This definitely gives us some momentum heading into Saturday’s game with Butler. And I can’t say enough about the job the crowd did tonight. They were great.”

It was particularly satisfying for a Piqua team that lost 62-29 to Sidney just three weeks ago.

“As soon as that game was over, I had it in my mind that we were going to win this game,” Bethanie Caldwell, who had her best game of the season, said.

Junior Miranda Baker, who was clutch all night, agreed.

“We were definitely looking for some revenge,” she said. “Definitely, this is a big win. Especially, because it is a rivalry game.”

And it was Caldwell’s 3-point shot late in the game that sent the Piqua crowd into a frenzie and gave the Lady Indians its first lead since 6-5 in the first quarter.

With Piqua trailing 37-36, Caldwell grabbed a rebound at the Sidney end, then buried a three from the top of the key with 1:00 remaining to put Piqua in front 39-37.

“It was all the crowd,” Caldwell said. “They had me so pumped up. I got the ball, the shot was there. I just knew I had to take it.”

Sidney immediatley turned the ball over and Kayle Quinter converted two free throws with 52.9 seconds left to put Piqua in front 41-37. Piqua made 11 of 13 free throws in the fourth quarter.

“Those free throws were huge,” Allen said.

Sidney answered with an Alyssa Myers three with 41.2 seconds to go to make it 41-40 and Piqua showed a few nerves.

They were called for five seconds and then an over-and-back on the next Piqua possession.

But, Sidney couldn’t convert on several opportunities and Miranda Baker was fouled on a rebound with 15.6 seconds remaining.

“I make most of my free throws in practice,” Baker said. “I wasn’t nervous at all.”

It showed. She made both, making her 8-for-8 for the game, to give Piqua a 43-40 lead.

“Miranda (Baker) is an 80 percent free throw shooter,” Allen said.

Sidney again failed to score and Magouteaux hit two free throws with 4.9 seconds to go to ice the win.

Sidney had jumped out to a 21-8 lead after one quarter, before the momentum began to swing.

“We hit some key shots,” Miranda Baker said. “We were really determined we were going to win this game.”

Piqua held Sidney without a field goal in the second quarter as the Lady Indians closed within 24-20. Sidney opened a 34-25 lead after three quarters, but Piqua wouldn’t quit.

“These kids just keep battling,” Allen said.

Miranda Baker led Piqua with 16 point. Kayle Quinter and Bethanie Caldwell each added 10 points. Miranda Baker and Quinter both grabbed eight rebounds as well, while Magoteaux pulled down five.

Piqua was 13 of 42 from the floor 31 percent and 17 of 23 from the line for 74 percent.

Sidney won the battle of the boards 29-27 and both teams had 13 turnovers.

Piqua will host Vandalia-Butler Saturday.

“This was a huge win tonight and gives us some momentum,” Allen said.

And gave the Lady Indians a night to remember.

BOXSCORE
Sidney (43)
Stephanie Rickert 3-0-7, Marissa Clark 2-0-5, Ashley Roberts 1-4-6, Molly Shriber 5-3-15, Brittney Koester 1-0-2, Alyssa Myers 1-2-5, Emily Ocke 1-1- 3. Totals: 14-10-43.

Piqua (45)
Kristen Magoteaux 1-2-4, Kayle Quinter 2-6-10, Kami Baker 1-1-3, Miranda Baker 4-8-16, Bethanie Caldwell 4-0-10, Whitney Bailey 0-0-0, Brittany Diehl 0-0-0, Lauryn Fair 0-0-0, Nikki Payne 1-0-2. Totals: 13-17-45.

3-point field goals — Sidney: Rickert, Clark, Shriber (2), Myers. Piqua: Caldwell (2).

Score By Quarters
Sidney 21 24 34 43
Piqua 8 20 25 45
Records: Sidney 3-12 (2-5), Piqua 2-14 (1-6).

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