MANSFIELD – Jazman Bailey beat the buzzer in regulation and overtime as Lake Ridge erased a 13-point deficit to beat Waxahachie 52-51 in a District 11-6A game on Wednesday. Lake Ridge improved to 5-3 in district play. Bailey, a 5-9 freshman, finished with a career-high 32 points with 16 coming in the fourth quarter and overtime.
Lake Ridge was down 36-23 entering the final quarter.
Post Joy Egbuna made a three-point play to cut the lead to 38-26 with seven minutes left. It was 10 on an assist from Bailey to Kinsea Logan. Egbuna picked up a steal as Ridge pressured Hachie with a full-court press. The play resulted in a layup from Gavyn Robinson and the Indians’ lead was down to six midway through the fourth.
The comeback continued as Egbuna got an offensive rebound and put back to pull Ridge within four with three minutes to play. The Eagles got the ball back and Bailey converted a layup and drew a foul. Her free throw was no good and Waxahachie was still up 38-36. The layup made it a 13-0 run for Ridge.
Waxahachie hit four free throws down the stretch and also led by two with 40 seconds.
Bailey came down the court with under eight seconds and drained the game-tying three to beat the buzzer that sent the game into overtime at 42-42. Bailey hit a contested layup early in the extra frame to give Ridge the lead at 44-42. Emma Schmelzer gave Hachie the 45-44 lead on her three-pointer and then Kamarie Hardeman hit a three-point play to give the Indians a three-point lead with one minute on the clock.
Robinson’s basket got Ridge within one with 2.8 left.
Then on the inbound pass, Lake Ridge forced the jump ball and regained possession.
Bailey got the pass and beat a triple team before draining her game-winning jumper.
Egbuna chipped in seven points for Ridge.
Hardeman led Hachie with 24 points. Joydan Overton added 13 and Schmelzer finished with 11.
After the Indians scored the first basket, Ridge scored six straight points with back to back buckets by Bailey. Hachie grabbed the 7-6 lead with a three by Schmelzer and jumper from Amara Edozie. Bailey beat the buzzer with a short jumper and Ridge led 11-10 after the opening period. Ridge went scoreless for four minutes before Bailey’s three with two minutes left in the half got the Eagles within 18-16.
Hachie scored the final six points – all from Hardeman and the Indians led 24-16 at intermission.
The Indians led 31-18 on a three by Schmelzer.
