Staff report

LANDIS — South Rowan’s girls basketball team shot 22 percent on Friday, but there was a happy ending.

The Raiders managed to beat A.L. Brown 39-38. Kynlee Dextraze’s free throws with 30 seconds left provided decisive.

While South (1-1) missed a ton of shots — Dextraze, who is South’s senior standout, shot 2-for-18 from the floor – the Raiders never stopped defending and they took advantage of Wonder turnovers and misses at the foul line.

“We really couldn’t hit a shot,” South coach Alex Allen said. “But I was proud that we stayed calm and were able to make some big plays at the end.”

The big plays down the stretch included some rugged rebounds by Meghan Eagle and Avery Fisher. There was a scrap for just about every rebound.

The first half was ragged for both teams. The Wonders (2-1) were physical with Dextraze, forcing her to catch the ball much further out than where she wanted it. As a result,  South’s scoring, mostly on outside shots by Hannah Atwell or McKenzie Menius, was sporadic.

South led 7-6 after a quarter. The Wonders went up 15-10 in the second quarter. A three-point play by Dextraze cut the Wonders’ lead at the half to 15-13.

Both teams operated more smoothly in the second half and it turned into a thriller. Neither team ever had control, and every score meant a lead change.

The Wonders led 38-35 with 46 seconds left when Fisher hit a big baseline jumper for South.

With South down one, Dextraze missed inside, but stayed with it, and was fouled on the rebound with 30 seconds left. Then she made the free throws that were the last points scored.

London Gray led the Wonders with 12 points. She made some tough shots, including two 3-pointers. Her 3-pointer with 1:35 left gave the Wonders a 35-34 lead.

A.L. Brown    6    9    12   11   — 38

South              7    8    12   12    — 39

SOUTH scoring — Dextraze 13, Mnius 7, Atwell 7, Fisher 5, Morgan 3, Pharr 2, Eagle 2.