Playing its third game in as many nights, all on the road, was every bit as challenging as one might expect.
But for the second straight night, the West Prairie/Southeastern Cyclones found a way to notch a win.
Madelynn Sullivan’s two free throws with 10.5 seconds left lifted WP/SE to a 41-40 Prairieland Conference South Division victory over South Fulton Thursday night at VIT High School.
WP/SE improved to 15-14 overall, 2-3 in league play. SFR dropped to 4-18 overall, 0-4 in conference competition.
The Cyclones led 33-23 entering the final eight minutes, but the Rebels did not fade.
Dixie Chenoweth connected for a pair of 3-pointers, while Annie Kessler added five points, including a trey.
Meanwhile, WP/SE did not record a single basket in the final period, getting all eight points from the free throw line.
A pair of free throws by Sullivan with 36.7 seconds to go gave WP/ SE a 39-36 lead.
South Fulton’s Preslea Parker answered with a layup 10 seconds later, bringing the Rebels within 39-38.
On the ensuing play, SFR sophomore Ella Dutton forced a Cyclone turnover. Her steal turned into a layup that gave the Rebels a 40-39 lead with 17 seconds remaining.
But Sullivan was fouled with 10.5 seconds left. She connected on both, putting the Cyclones back in front 41-40.
South Fulton had one final chance, but an errant pass resulted in a turnover and the Cyclones were able to run out the clock to escape with the victory.
Parker scored six points in the opening period as South Fulton led 10-6 after the first frame.
WP/SE’s Sullivan, Alivia Barkley and Payton McGrew combined for all 19 Cyclone points in the second quarter.
The visitors led 25-15 before a late trey by Chenoweth narrowed the gap to 25-18 at halftime.
Sullivan scored six of WP/SE’s eight points in the third stanza while SFR managed just five points total. That allowed the Cyclones to up its lead to 33-23 entering the final period.
Sullivan topped the Cyclones with 22 points, 20 in the final three quarters. She also recorded four assists, three rebounds and two steals.
Barkley also reached double figures, scoring 12 points, nine in the opening half. She also chipped in three rebounds and two steals.
McGrew added six points in the first half before reinjuring her right ankle with seven minutes left.
She did not return. Before exiting, McGrew also recorded a team-leading seven rebounds.
Josie Hodges also scored one point for the Cyclones.
WP/SE won despite shooting just 11-of-26 (42.3 percent) from the free throw line.
That included 8-of-20 (40 percent) in the fourth quarter.
Parker topped South Fulton with 13 points.
Chenoweth added nine points on three treys, followed by Kessler with six points.
Kathrin Miller and Kynley Mitchell chipped in four points each, followed by Emma Gorsuch and Ella Dutton with two points apiece.
South Fulton finished the game 8-of-20 (40 percent) from the free throw line.
WP/SE wraps up the regular season with a pair of games that started with Monday’s contest against Bushnell-Prairie City (4-17) at Augusta.
The Cyclones wrap up the regular season Thursday hosting Lewistown (15-12).
