Girls GASO: Texas Crossover wins WNIT
CARROLLTON, Texas - In a matter of 60 seconds, Texas Crossover 13s forward Morgan Williams made several clutch plays that ultimately affected the WNIT Division championship game of the Girls Great American Shoot-Out.
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Williams made two steals and scored five points in the final minute - including the game-clinching free throws with time running out - to lead the Crossover to a 53-52 win against KBB White Sunday afternoon at the Integrated Athletic Development. Williams helped the Crossover avenged a two-point pool-play loss to KBB White on Saturday.
Williams finished with seven points, but five of the seven came in the game's final moments. She made a layup off a steal at the 1-minute mark to give the Crossover a 50-49 lead. The team never again trailed.
"She's one of our veteran players who brings defensive intensity," Crossover coach Kevin Brown said. "That is her strong point. She's a very important cog in the Texas Crossover machine."
Following two KBB missed free throws, Williams grabbed the rebound and, after being fouled, calmly hit two free throws to give the Crossover a three-point edge. Williams then recorded another steal and made a game-sealing free throw with 4.6 seconds left to play.
The Crossover trailed, 22-21, at the half, but Brown gave his team advice that they took to heart.
"I told them to play Crossover basketball. We had to control the tempo if we wanted to win the game," Brown said. "I think they finally realized how to beat a team without ripping and running on offense."
Williams was big late in the second half, but Taylor McCullough had a solid game overall. She finished with a game-high 19 points and was the Crossover's only player with double figures in scoring. All but one Crossover player scored.
KBB made the game a one-point margin when Haley Carruthers made a desperation 3-pointer at the buzzer. Carruthers had 14 points, Mikaehla Conner had 13, and Anna Horowitz added 11 in the loss.
DFW/IAD GREAT AMERICAN SHOOT-OUT
(At Integrated Athletic Development, Carrollton
CHAMPIONSHIP GAME BOXSCORE
WNIT DIVISION
KBB White 22 30 - 52
Texas Crossover 2013s 21 32 - 53
KBB White: Anna Horowitz 11, Haley Carruthers 14, Brooklyn Lopez 3, Mika Stutts 2, Shani Rainey 4, Samantha Odom 5, Mikaehla Connor 13
Crossover: Taylor McCullough 19, Kaylen Taylor 2, Kayana Smith 7, Kendra Smith 4, Morgan Williams 7, Georgia Beatty 2, Lindley Southard 3, Tyzhanae Calloway 7, Shanice Anthony 2