BOWLING GREEN - The North Callaway Ladybirds weren't able to finish off a valiant fourth-quarter comeback.
No. 3 seed North Callaway outscored No. 2 Bowling Green 15-7 over the final 8 minutes, but the Lady Bobcats managed to hold off the Ladybirds 41-35 in the semifinals of the 91st-annual Bowling Green Tournament on Wednesday night.
North Callaway (6-10) trailed 34-20 to open the fourth quarter and scored the first nine points to close within 34-29, but the Ladybirds' rally ultimately fell short.
"We didn't lay down and we gave ourselves a chance," North Callaway head coach Matt Miller said. "I'm extremely proud of the girls' effort, but we dug ourselves too large of a hole in the first three quarters."
Sophomore guard Kyla Bertschinger topped the Ladybirds with eight points and senior guard Maddie Ausfahl scored all seven of her points in the fourth quarter. Junior center Sam Schaefer pulled down a team-high six rebounds.
"We were stagnant on offense and that's kind of been our theme all season," Miller said. "We didn't get good ball movement, but Bowling Green is a good defensive team. Part of the credit goes to them."
Alyssa Starks answered with a game-high 15 points, including a pair of 3-pointers, to direct the Lady Bobcats (12-5). Gabi Deters knocked down three 3-pointers in logging 10 points.
North Callaway meets No. 4 seed Winfield for third place at 6 p.m. Friday.