As expected, the Sand Rock and Spring Garden girls gave spectators their money’s worth last Tuesday (Jan. 31) at Sand Rock.

Greatly aided by Jenny Casey’s late free throws and Ashley Beck’s post play, the Class 2A No. 5 Lady Wildcats (23-3) eked out a 57-52 win over the Class 1A, No. 1 Lady Panthers (20-7).

With 2.4 seconds left in the game and Sand Rock leading by three points, Casey stepped to the foul line with the opportunity to make it a two-possession game and virtually clinch the victory.

The sophomore forward was up to the task, as she knocked down both ends of a one-and-one situation to complete the Lady Rockers’ three-game season sweep over Spring Garden.

“Jenny did such a great job with the game on the line,” said Sand Rock head coach Lisa Bates. “She scored only two points, but those were the two most important ones of the game.”

The Spring Garden defense had little answer for Beck’s inside game.

The junior forward scored 25 points, mostly in the paint area, and pulled down nine rebounds. She also had three 3-point baskets and dealt out three assists.

“Ashley did a great job inside,” said Bates. “Her post play really helped to open up our outside game.”

Beck shot a stellar 73 percent (8-for-11) from the field.

Taylor Burt and Angelique Kordich each scored 11 points, while Kristin Brown chipped in eight.

Kordich and Casey each grabbed six rebounds.

“Taylor had eight assists and created some open shots,” said Bates. “Kristin and Angelique came through by making all four of their shots. We played good defense at times, and I’m pleased with our effort. We’re just focused on one game at a time at this point of the season.”

Paige Anderson led Spring Garden with 24 points, followed by Whitney Mobley with 11.

Anderson and Nicole Ledbetter each grabbed seven rebounds, while Anderson dished out four assists.

“I’m very disappointed in our halfcourt defense,” said Spring Garden head coach Ricky Austin. “Ashley Beck was in the zone tonight and had a great game. We just didn’t get the job done.”

Beck starting out strong, as she scored 12 of Sand Rock’s first 15 points. Her three-point basket with seven seconds left in the first quarter provided the hosts with a 15-12 lead.

Brown’s six straight points and Beck’s trey comprised a 9-0 Lady ‘Cat run that started the second period.

The Lady Panthers answered right back, as their 12-0 run tied the game at 24-24 with two minutes left in the first half.

Hannah Hutcheson’s three-pointer with 36 seconds to go gave the visitors a one-point advantage, but Burt’s basket with five ticks on the clock sent the hosts into the locker room with a 30-29 lead.

The lead changed hands several times over the course of the third frame before Spring Garden reeled off a 9-2 stretch that made it 44-38 and compelled the Lady Wildcats to call a time-out.

The hosts then outscored the Lady Panthers 8-2 over the final 1:56, with Beck’s three-pointer at 2.5 tying the score at 46-46.

Respective baskets from Burt and Kordich in the fourth quarter’s first minute made it a four-point Sand Rock advantage, while Burt’s foul shot at 3:56 widened the gap to 51-46.

The visitors drew within 53-50 with 1:18 remaining but Spring Garden was soon forced to foul.

The Lady Panthers got the ball back at 19.9 following Sand Rock’s missed one-and-one, but Spring Garden misfired on a three-point attempt with five seconds left.

The Lady Panthers quickly fouled Casey, and her clutch free throws secured the Lady Wildcats’ third straight win over their county rivals.

SAND ROCK (57): Beck 25, Burt 11, Kordich 11, Brown 8, Casey 2.

SPRING GARDEN (52): Anderson 24, Mobley 11, Hutcheson 6, Ledbetter 3, Barnes 3, Parris 3, Painter 2