EMPIRE LEAGUE GIRLS’ BASKETBALL ROUNDUP : Cypress Beats Esperanza on Oda’s Free Throw

With six seconds remaining in Tuesday night’s game, Frances Oda of Cypress High School drove the lane and was fouled by Esperanza’s Michele Fujioka.

Oda missed her first shot, but hit the second to give Cypress a 46-45 victory over visiting Esperanza.

The victory gives Cypress (13-6, 3-1 in league) a half-game advantage over Esperanza (11-5, 2-1) in the Empire League.

“That was a little squeaky,” Cypress Coach Denise Selbe said. “I’d rather win by more than one point, but it’s nice just to beat a good team like Esperanza.”

Cypress led, 31-21, by the the start of the second half by working the ball inside to post player Lupe Nava.

Nava led the Centurions with 24 points, 10 rebounds, and seven blocked shots. Oda added 14 points, including a three-pointer, and seven assists.

But Esperanza rallied behind the outside shooting of guard Lisa Ruppe and Kerry Edwards. Ruppe (18 points) made four long jump shots in the third quarter and Edwards (10 points) made four set shots from the top of the key in the half.

A shot by Ruppe from the left wing brought the Aztecs back to a 37-37 tie with 21 seconds left in the third quarter.

The teams frequently exchanged leads in the final quarter, with Esperanza’s Wendy Fullmer (11 points) finally tying the score, 45-45, with a minute left.