By PAUL GOTHAM
PITTSFORD, N.Y. — No. 3 Aquinas girls’ basketball used a third-quarter rally to erase a double-digit deficit before going to overtime to clinch a spot in the Section V Class AA championship with a 57-53 victory over No. 7 Pittsford Mendon, Wednesday at Pittsford Sutherland High School.
AJ Orr scored seven of her game-high 20 points over the final 12 minutes of play to pace the Aquinas offense. The junior’s 3-pointer with less than three minutes remaining in regulation cut a five-point Mendon lead to two.
Senior Molly O’Toole followed with a drive and layup to tie the score at 46 and send the game to extra time.
“We knew after halftime that we had to come out with more energy,” O’Toole said. “Especially for like myself, I didn’t want this to be my last game. I want to keep playing.”
The Li’l Irish scored the first six points of overtime and did not relinquish the lead.
“That came right out of our practices,” O’Toole said. “Definitely all the hard work we put in.”
Mendon’s Gabby Esposito scored 10 of her team-high 15 points in the first half, and the Vikings took a 26-17 lead going into the locker room.
Sarah Hanfland’s bucket in the lane staked Mendon to a 30-19 with less than six minutes remaining in the third quarter.
“You got to give them credit, they came out hot and with a lot energy,” O’Toole said. “We had to pick it back up.”
The Li’l Irish, which have used the 3-pointer as a primary weapon throughout the season, did not connect from distance until Loren Green found the range early in the fourth quarter.
“That’s been our go-to on offense, so we had to do more off the drive,” O’Toole said. “They’re a good team, especially on defense. They play hard man-to-man.”
O’Toole finished with 12 points. Green added 11. Carlé Thomas scored five.
Kate Crowley and Eva Dixon scored 12 apiece for Mendon. Hanfland and Natalie Mai both had six points.
Aquinas advances to Saturday’s championship when the Li’l Irish will face either Hilton or Webster Schroeder.
Again I’m proud of you girls my granddaughter is AJ number 12 love you kiddo very proud 🩷🩷