CdM girls’ basketball rallies for dramatic OT win at Beckman

A last-second heave towards the Corona del Mar High basket was tracked down for a steal by Tori Gyselaar.

As if their hearts beat as one, all associated with the CdM girls’ basketball team got to their feet in a display of disbelief and jubilation.

The Sea Kings had witnessed their own miracle, as Tatiana Bruening’s offensive rebound and putback with 2.1 seconds remaining saved CdM from a most disappointing defeat on Friday.

CdM trailed by six points late in overtime, but the Sea Kings stunned host Beckman 47-46 with a last-minute rally in a Pacific Coast League game.

Beckman (9-13, 1-5 in league) led 45-39 following a free throw by Chelsea Ebisuya with 1:18 remaining. CdM (9-12, 4-2) was then called for charging, forcing the Sea Kings to play the foul game.

It worked, as the Patriots missed five out of six free throws in the final minute.

Bruening (15 points and seven rebounds), who played the entire fourth quarter and overtime with four fouls, hit a pair of free throws to begin the comeback. She followed with a layup, and Samantha Uehara’s drive and scoop high off the backboard fell through with 15 seconds left to tie the game at 45-45.

The Sea Kings had been spared only for a moment, as Aya Prow fouled Patriots leading scorer Katrina Metcalf (20 points, six rebounds, five assists) at midcourt with 10.4 seconds to go. Metcalf made the second, giving Beckman a 46-45 lead.

Coming out of a timeout, Uehara (14 points, 11 rebounds, six assists) ran the ball up the court. She fired a pass ahead to Sophie Beador, who put up a shot that came off the left side of the rim. Bruening was there for the rebound. She went up, got fouled, and the shot went in.

“I was really, really mad at myself because I got so many fouls early in the game,” Bruening said. “I really couldn’t play good defense underneath the basket.

“When the team came together at the end, it was really cool to see it. I actually got hit in the jaw, but it’s worth it.”

CdM completed a season sweep of Beckman. The Sea Kings have positioned themselves well for one of their league’s automatic bids into the CIF Southern Section playoffs.

“I think we just really have to utilize our opportunity,” said Beador, who had eight points and 10 rebounds. “We’ve become a lot closer this season from last season. We’re a more cohesive unit.”

CdM could have won in regulation, had it not been for an untimely turnover. Sea Kings coach Brason Alexander took responsibility for the out-of-bounds play, as a long pass intended for Uehara was intercepted. Instead of shooting free throws with a two-point lead and under 20 seconds to go, Metcalf got the ball to Jacqui Paredes, who made a shot in the paint to tie it.

The game turned dramatic after an underwhelming first half that saw the Sea Kings come out with a 12-6 lead at the break.

“The first half, both teams just wanted to show how good at defense they were,” Alexander joked. “[A 4-2 league record] sounds wonderful. We’re going to enjoy it.”

andrew.turner@latimes.com

Twitter: @ProfessorTurner