MONROE, Conn. — Down 32-19 in the second half, host Masuk High’s girls basketball team came storming back in a spirited effort before falling short 47-43 to visiting Joel Barlow in Thursday’s Senior Night clash.
Seniors Grace Sheppard, Emma Troesser and Maddie Farrer, along with injured Abby Troesser, were honored.
Masuk went on an 8-0 run, capped by Izzy DeBernardo’s 3-pointer, to pull to within five. Barlow answered with a run-ending 3 of its own for a 35-27 lead going into the fourth quarter.
Sheppard scored the first two baskets in the fourth, including a 3-pointer, as Masuk pulled to within 35-32. Emma Troesser had back-to-back hoops, including an impressive reverse layup, to whittle a seven-point deficit down to three again, at 39-36 with three minutes to play.
Down seven again, Sheppard’s runner made it 43-38 with just over a minute left. Emma Troesser stole a baseline inbound pass and scored with 55 seconds left to pull the Panthers back to within three yet again.
Barlow hit a pair of free throws before Sheppard hit a 3-pointer in the waning seconds. It was 45-43 Barlow. The Panthers fouled with three seconds left and Barlow made two more clutch free throws to fend off a no-quit Masuk squad.
“I couldn’t ask for more when it comes to that,” Masuk Coach Dan Young said of the comeback effort.
Masuk has lost four in a row with three of the games decided by just four points. Talk about being competitive.
“It’s hard to fight when you’re struggling. It shows some resolve from them,” Young said.
The coach noted that his seniors led the charge.
“They played like seniors that didn’t want to lose and that’s all you can ask for,” Young added.
Against Barlow, Sheppard finished with 18 points, Emma Troesser had 11, DeBernardo six, Farrer five and Sydney Lampley three.
Masuk fell to 3-9 in South-West Conference play, but has proven it can compete against strong teams. Barlow, for example, stands at 9-3 and is in third in the conference.
The Panthers will be in the SWC playoffs with the addition of a play-in round this winter. All state tourney qualifiers automatically get into the SWC playoffs now. Masuk has qualified for states having won eight games and still has one more regular-season contest to play — Tuesday at Weston (also 3-9 in the SWC).
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