By DAN BARILE
Eagle Times Correspondent
WESTMINSTER, Vt. — With a lead that was once double digits reduced to five points, and two of its top players out for the remainder of the contest, Bellows Falls found itself facing a tough situation over the final four minutes of its matchup against White River Valley.
Despite the circumstances and the momentum seemingly swinging in White River Valley’s favor, the Terriers rose to the challenge and held on for a 40-34 victory on Tuesday night at Holland Gymnasium.
Bellows Falls raced out to a 7-0 edge over the first two minutes of play before the Wildcats clawed their way back to take a 10-9 lead at the end of the period.
The Terriers offensive woes continued in the second quarter until baskets by Abby Nystrom, Veronica Moore, and Laura Kamel propelled the purple-and-white to an 18-16 advantage entering the half.
White River Valley remained close over the first three minutes of the third quarter before Bellows Falls reeled off a 10-2 run to enter the final frame with a 35-23 cushion.
With the Terriers appearing to be in control, the tides quickly turned when the Wildcats went on a 9-0 run to open the fourth quarter. Things went from bad to worse for Bellows Falls when Moore fouled out and Nystrom left the game due to injury with 4:17 left to play.
Despite the departure of two of its top players, the Terriers clamped down defensively and held White River Valley to just two points over the final four minutes. On the other end of the court, freshman point guard Gracie Patterson played a key role by engineering the offense over the final minutes as the Terriers held on for a six-point victory.
Abby Nystrom paced Bellows Falls with 16 points, Veronica Moore was next with eight, and Laura Kamel added six. Ashlyn Rhoades led White River Valley (7-3) with 13 points.