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Freshman White leads No. 15 Milford Mill past Catonsville in 2OT

Freshman sensation Dionna White scored 29 of her game-high 31 points after halftime to lead host Milford Mill to a 66-61 double-overtime comeback victory over Catonsville Friday night.

White hit a game-tying 3-pointer at the buzzer to send the game into overtime.

"I just felt it at the time," said White, who came into the game leading the Millers (18-0) in scoring with 17.8 points per game.

She only scored two points in the first half after picking up two fouls in the first quarter and sitting the rest of the way.

In the first overtime, White's free throw was followed by five unanswered points by the Comets (16-4) that gave them a 58-54 lead with 58 seconds left.

Senior Kayla Boyd hit the first of two free throws with 44 seconds left and White rebounded the second one and dropped it in, cutting the deficit to 58-57.

Milani canned the second of two free throws for a 59-57 lead with 30 seconds remaining, but White tied it with 7.2 seconds left and sent it to double overtime.

Deb Milani (11 points, 7 steals) scored three points in the first overtime and Maddie Hunt (4 points, 4 assists) added a fast break basket for the Comets.

Catonsville's leading scorer Rachel Schwaab (15 points, 9 rebounds) fouled out with under a minute to go in the first overtime and Milani joined her in the second overtime.

Senior Sierra Naylor (10 points) hit her third three-pointer of the game to give the Millers a 62-59 lead early in the second overtime, but Hunt's fast break layup cut the lead to 62-61 with 1:10 left.

Sophomore Akiri Lewis scored her only two points of the game from the free throw line with 17 seconds left, and White's steal led to the final score.

During regulation, Catonsville built a 40-28 lead early in the fourth quarter using a 3-2 zone defense and getting solid inside play from Danielle Francy (10 points, 4 blocks) and Taylor Barton (10 points, 8 rebounds) and slick ball handling and hustle from freshman Lauren McDonald (4 assists, 4 steals).

"Catonsville is a fundamental team and they are going to bring it every single game, so we had to bring it as well," Milford Mill coach DeToiya McAliley said.

The Millers brought it at both ends of the court — and on the offensive board — and White stayed on the court despite the foul trouble.

"She said, 'Coach, you have to trust me,' and I said you can't foul out,'" McAliley said.

White picked up her fourth foul with 5:55 left in the fourth quarter, but still hit the crucial game-tying shot.

"We trusted she could do that," McAliley said. "That's her game. She's a big time player, and for a freshman to have the guts to take that shot, that shows her skill set."

The win was redemption for former and current Milford players who lost twice to the Comets last season, including in the regional quarterfinals.

"One of [the former players] was in the locker room, and she said 'We finally got over the hump'" McAliley said. "That was good for our program, because we've been on a three-year skid with Catonsville."

No. 15 Milford Mill 66, Catonsville 61

MM — White 31, Naylor 10, Boyd 10, Thompson 6, Aquon-Rayford 3, McDonald 2, Lewis 2, Jones 2

C — Schwaab 15, Milani 11, Francy 10, Barton 10, Hunt 6, McDonald 4, Gibson 3, Wallace 2

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