RICHMOND — Held to four points in the first half, Middletown High School center Kelsey Guzman scored 12 of her team”s 13 points in overtime as the Mustangs beat the Salesian Pride 44-37 in a non-league battle of unbeaten varsity girls” basketball teams on Tuesday night in Richmond.
Salesian (5-1) forced the game into overtime by hitting a shot with 10 seconds remaining in regulation. Middletown (4-0) missed a shot at the buzzer.
In the overtime period, Salesian jumped ahead 34-31 by sinking a 3-pointer, but Guzman answered with a pair of baskets to put Middletown in front to stay.
“We were finally able to get the ball inside to her in the overtime,” Middletown coach Marnin Pyzer said. “And we just kept going to her. Salesian has a very athletic group of kids, but no one her size.”
Guzman finished with a season-best 22 points and Jenny McGee added eight.
Middletown led 14-4 after one quarter.
Besides Guzman”s 12 points, Emily Beckwith scored the only other Middletown point in overtime, hitting a free throw.
“Salesian is a good win for us, that”s a very tough place to play,” Pyzer said. “I”m very proud of my girls.”
Middletown draws tournament host Fortuna Thursday at 7:30 p.m. in the opening round of the Fortuna Tournament.
