Clutch baskets boost Muskego over OC

Muskego - A buzzer-beating basket is always exciting, regardless of the score, but a pair of buzzer-beaters proved to be the difference for the Muskego girls basketball team in its 53-49 victory over visiting Oak Creek on Friday.

In the second quarter, guard Jessica Mlachnik capped a 10-0 Warriors run by swishing a 3-point field goal as the horn sounded, giving Muskego a 25-18 halftime lead.

Later, after the Knights cut the lead to three, Mlachnik's desperation hook shot from the top of the key - released mere milliseconds before the clock hit zeros - rattled in, providing the Warriors some much-needed breathing room heading into the fourth quarter.

The Knights again battled back and got within a point at 46-45 after Tamya Sims and Stephanie Kostowicz worked the high-low post for back-to-back buckets with four minutes to go in the game.

Shooting helps seal victory

Muskego guard Jessica Cattani promptly drilled her fifth 3-pointer of the night, and Ashley Colla hit four of six free throws down the stretch to keep her team (8-4 overall, 5-2 in the Southeast Conference) on top.

Oak Creek (9-4, 4-3) still had one last chance in the closing seconds, but Abby Styczinski's 3-point attempt was blocked and Colla recovered the loose ball.

"It was a great high school game between two pretty evenly-matched teams," Muskego head coach Brian Hirtz said. "We happened to get some great play off our bench, and that really helped us out."

Oak Creek head coach Steve Hluchnik concurred: "Their role players made some big plays for them, and we need some kids to step up among our role players and make some plays for us. I think our go-to kids did what they're supposed to, and so did Muskego's, but the difference was their bench."

Oak Creek responded

Despite never grabbing the lead in the second half, Oak Creek hovered in striking distance throughout. Every time the Knights narrowed the gap, Cattani, who hit four 3-pointers in the second half and led all scorers with 17 points, responded.

"We call her instant offense," said Hirtz. "She comes off our bench and she's got that 'it' factor, that killer attitude where she can drain some shots. She was hot tonight, we got her some looks, and she was able to put them in. She was huge off the bench for us."

Sims led Oak Creek with 13 points and Morgan Kokta added 11, including a trio of 3-pointers. Mlachnik tallied 10 points for the Warriors, including her two buzzer-beaters.

With the victory, Muskego moved into a tie for second place in the Southeast Conference with Franklin, which lost Friday night to league-leading Racine Case.

"This keeps us in the middle of the conference race, which is one of our goals," Hirtz said. "We needed some confidence as we haven't had a real quality win all year. This is a quality win."

The Warriors welcome Racine Horlick (0-7, 0-12) at 7:15 p.m. on Jan. 20. They allowed the Rebels just one point in the teams' first meeting, a 55-1 Muskego victory.

Muskego then visits Mukwonago (3-4 in the Classic 8 Conference, 6-4 overall) at 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 24. The game will serve as a preview for next season, when the Warriors join the Classic 8.

EARLIER GAME

Muskego routed Kenosha Bradford, 50-17, on Jan. 10

DEFENSE: The Warriors allowed just two points in the first half (none in the second quarter) and eight for the first three periods.

LEADING SCORERS: Amber McDonald led the way with 13 points, while Renee Bennett totaled seven and Julia Keegan and Ashley Colla each six.