FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – A month from now, South View girls’ basketball hopes to claim wins however they can get them. That’s why a scrappy come-from-behind conference win on Thursday night at Jack Britt leaves a reason for optimism, with postseason play a few weeks away.

The Tigers opened the game down nine. In the final minute of regulation, they saw a two-possession lead dissolve, but thanks to clutch shots from Danauje Brooks and Zakiera Gaillard, they escaped the Buccaneers in overtime 63-54.

7 of Brooks’ 30 points came in the extra period. She and Gaillard started the overtime with five straight points. On the other end, Jack Britt went ice cold from the field. It was a stark contrast from the final moments of the fourth when Aaliyah McRae knotted the score at 51-51 and two turnovers set the stage for Alexia White to attempt a game-winning three from the wing that rolled around the rim and out as time expired.

The Buccaneers’ ability to get out and run in transition helped them build an early 11-2 lead to start. South View attacked the rim late in the first to draw enough free throws to slash its deficit to 14-10 after one.

Brooks put the Tigers ahead with a 10-2 run early in the second. The advantage held long enough to go into the locker room at halftime ahead 25-22.

Halfway through the third, Jack Britt reclaimed the lead at 30-28 but it was short-lived. Gaillard rattled off five straight to fuel a run that gave South View a 38-34 lead after three.

White and the Buccaneers had another answer up their sleeve. A 8-0 run ripped back the lead at 43-40 with 5:05 left in the fourth. South View appeared to be in command following eight straight points from Brooks.

Her three-point play with 2:51 remaining pushed the Tigers’ advantage to 50-45. A 6-1 Jack Britt run to end the period forced overtime.

South View has won seven straight and is 15-3 overall. The Tigers will take their 8-0 record in conference play to Lumberton on Friday night. Jack Britt (5-11, 3-5) stays home on Friday to host Purnell Swett.

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