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The Saltillo Lady Lions beat Slidell 51-43 in triple overtime in Trenton to advance to the Regional Semifinals at Mansfield Legacy High School. Courtesy/Saltillo Lion Athletics
Ochoa leads team with 19 points
TRENTON — The No. 11 Saltillo Lady Lions traveled to Trenton High School Tuesday to take on No. 21 Slidell in the Regional Quarter Finals.
The Lady Lions opened the game, outscoring Slidell in the first quarter, 11-9. Both teams’ offenses slowed down from there with just a combined 11 points scored in the second quarter. Saltillo led 16-15 at the half.
The second half opened with both teams showcasing their defenses once again, but Saltillo had the advantage in the quarter. They outscored Slidell 7-6 in the frame, making their lead 23-21 entering the fourth quarter.
In the fourth, Sidell outscored Saltillo for the second time and forced the game to overtime with the score ending at 30-30 on regulation.
The first two overtime periods were very tight, with scores of 36-36 after the first and 40-40 after the second. In the third overtime period, the Lady Lions were able to run away with the game, outscoring Slidell, 11-3, in the frame and winning, 51-43.
Jocelyn Ochoa was the leading scorer for Saltillo, finishing with 19 points. Other scorers for the Lady Lions were Chandler Bain, 9; Anna Reeder, 8; Kristina Wade, 6; Brittney Peeples, 6; Maddy Smith, 2; and Julianna Giles, 1.
“It was a very exciting game for the fans! We gave up too many easy buckets in the OTs, but we hung in there, played physical and did the little things right in the third overtime for the win,” Coach Bill Giles said. “Slidell played extremely hard and were well coached.”
Saltillo advances to the Regional Tournament where they will face No. 8 Eula on Friday at 5 p.m. If they win, they will face the winner of No. 2 Dodd City and No. 3 Lipan at 2 p.m. on Saturday. The Regional Tournament will be held at Mansfield Legacy High School.