Kaleena Smith scored 50 points, including 14 in regulation, to lead Ontario Christian to a 96-87 double-overtime triumph over Archbishop Mitty of San Jose at noon between the top two teams in the state Saturday in the Kay Yow Showcase main game at Mater Dei.
Tatiana Griffin contributed 20 points and 18 rebounds, while Dani Robinson added 16 points for the No. 1 Knights (20-0), who overcame a 12-point deficit with four minutes left in the fourth quarter. Smith was fouled with 4.7 seconds left and made both free throws to pull Ontario Christian even at 78-78. Archbishop Mitty missed a three at the buzzer.
“I’m pretty sure I can handle them. [free throws] in that situation,” said Smith, who reached the 50-point mark for the second time this season. “This is what I do. I was in a similar spot last year in the Southern Section finals and I made it.”
Smith, a junior, finished with three assists and four steals and was nine of 10 from the foul line. Her career high in points in a game is 63, which she accomplished in her freshman year.
No. 2 Archbishop Mitty (12-2), which lost to Etiwanda in the Open Division state final last season, got 25 points from McKenna Woliczko and 21 from Ze’Ni Patterson.
The Northern and Southern California powers could meet again for the state championship in March.
“During a timeout in the fourth quarter, I reminded them why they’re here,” Knights coach Aundre Cummings said. “The girls love being No. 1 in the country and the attention it brings, but with that comes the pressure to prove themselves.”
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