Unable to score in overtime, Blue Devils suffer loss in Sophie Cunningham Classic

COLUMBIA, Mo. — The Quincy High School girls basketball team had its chances.

Forced to go to overtime against Columbia Battle in Sunday’s Sophie Cunningham Classic, the state-ranked Blue Devils failed to score on all five possessions in the extra period and suffered a 42-38 loss at Columbia College’s Southwell Gymnasium.

The Spartans outscored the Blue Devils 14-6 over the game’s final 12 minutes.

Quincy, ranked ninth in Class 4A, led 32-28 at the end of the third quarter but needed Jada Brown’s layin off a Myley Longcor assist with 1:40 to go in regulation to tie the game at 38. Quincy missed a chance to take the lead with a minute to go in regulation, and Battle played for the last shot and missed a jumper at the buzzer.

The Blue Devils (15-5) won the tip to start overtime but turned the ball over on the opening possession. The Spartans took the lead for good as Jaleah Brookins scored from the post. She missed the free throw to complete the three-point play, which opened a door for Quincy.

That door stayed opened until Battle’s final possession.

Quincy missed a pair of shots in the paint, but Battle’s Tayla Robinson missed two free throws with 28.9 seconds remaining. The Blue Devils turned the ball over on the ensuing possession, but a pair of missed free throws by the Spartans’ Boo Anderson with 16.8 seconds left gave the Blue Devils another shot.

Longcor missed a runner along the left baseline, and Anderson made two free throws with 5.4 seconds left to seal the victory.

Quincy shot just 31.3 percent from the field and 22.2 percent from 3-point range. Brown finished with 14 points and 12 rebounds, while Fohey had 13 points, nine rebounds and five blocked shots. The Blue Devils had 17 turnovers and just five assists.