The Frank Erwin Center at UT hosted the 5A girls basketball state tournament Saturday night. The Cy Fair Bobcats and the Rockwall Yellowjackets both entered this game with a 39-0 record and ranked in the top five in the country.

Both teams had high expectations for this game and they were certainly  justified as the four-quarter and one overtime period proved. Rockwall turned on the heat just in time to pull out a 59-54 victory.

The first quarter produced a mirroring effect on the court as both the Bobcats and the Yellowjackets matched basket for basket. Each team utilized their tall players to capture the rebounds and give themselves second chances on shots. With two fouls within the first minute of the game on starters from each team, this game confirmed that it would be a fight until the finish.

The first quarter ended with a 16-13 Rockwall lead, however, entering the second quarter Cy Fair hustled for points. The second quarter had a full court press from both teams. With this pressure, each team made sure to make every basket count. Going into half time, Cy Fair had made up the deficit and taken a 28-25 lead.

The Bobcats started the third quarter in control by creating turnovers and steals from their tenacious press. Cy Fair had an eight point lead with 6:16 left on the clock, but the Yellowjackets fought back to gain the lead. In the last seconds of the quarter, a three point shot brought Rockwell within two. With an immediate foul by Cy Fair, the Yellowjackets were able to convert two free throws and end the third quarter with a score of 40-37.

In the fourth, the two exchanged leads until the last three minutes. With Chiney and Nneka Ogwumike of Cy Fair and Kiara Slaton of Rockwall all having four fouls, this left the primary rebounders on each team cautious and holding back on thier normal aggressive play. 

With two minutes left in the game, Rockwall tied the game 48-48 with a clutch three pointer. This allowed them to hold on to the ball and let the clock run down to give them the last play of the game. Rockwall put up the last shot, but was unable to seal the win. Regulation ended with a score of 48-48 and the state championship went into overtime.

As soon as the overtime tipoff occured, Rockwall's Haley Day nailed a three pointer to give her team a three-point advantage. But Cy Fair's N. Ogwumike answered with a three of her own after making two foul shots to give Cy Fair a 52-51 lead.

Rockwall held a 54-55 lead, but a long inbound pass was interecepted by Cy Fair’s Mansa El.  The Bobcats were not able to convert the turnover into points. Cy Fair was forced to foul and Rockwall  made all free throws to seal the win, 59-54.

N. Ogwumike of Cy Fair led high scorers on both teams with 28 points. Genevieve Campbell from Rockwall had 17 points, followed by the MVP of the game Haley Day who had 15 points.

Rockwall, led by coach Jill McDill, has now joined history as only the fourth team in Texas to finish with a 40-0 record.

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