BURLINGAME, CA — Nicole Brunicardi stood at the free throw line for the Burlingame Panthers with 7.3 seconds remaining in a tie game, knowing that even one make would likely win the game. She calmly hit the first shot, and although she missed the second, Clayton Valley was unable to come up with a basket, and the Panthers held on to defeat the Ugly Eagles 23-22. Burlingame, which had lost seven straight after winning its opening game, has now won on back-to-back days to improve to 3-7.
It was a back-and-forth game throughout, and the teams found themselves tied 18-18 after three quarters. Brunicardi made a layup on her team’s first possession of the final period for her first points of the game and a two-point Burlingame lead, and the Panthers led 22-19 with two minutes to play. But Clayton Valley’s Kat Segovia hit a 3-pointer to tie it at 22. Outstanding Burlingame defense, however, kept the game tied until Brunicardi’s free throw won it.
“Defense is our foundation; we value defense first,” Burlingame coach Matt Kunst said. “Our defense helps us transition to our offense, so any time we get a defensive stop, it’ll usually lead to a good result.”
Clayton Valley’s defense was spectacular as well, but it was mistakes that ultimately helped cost them the game. The Ugly Eagles were called for traveling eight times, including four in the decisive fourth quarter.
Burlingame started the game hot, outscoring Clayton Valley in the opening quarter 9-2. Amber Moss, who led the Panthers with seven points, scored four in the first period. The Ugly Eagles, however, gradually narrowed the deficit in the second quarter, pulling to within 13-11 by halftime.
Clayton Valley (6-8) then came out on fire in the third. Kelly Osterkamp, who scored a game-high 10 points, tied the game with a layup, then hit a three on her team’s next possession to give the Ugly Eagles a 16-13 lead.
But the Panthers, who won thanks to a total team effort (they only scored 23 points, but they were distributed among six players), responded with a 5-0 run of their own before Clayton Valley tied the score at 18 entering the fourth. Burlingame then got just enough offense in the final period to edge the Ugly Eagles.
“I wanted to get a true team win,” Kunst said. “I wanted to get everyone in the game, and get them some good minutes. When [all of them] are working as one, great things will happen.”
