High school basketball: Timpview girls rally to down Lehi

PROVO — Down by one to upset-minded Lehi with just over three minutes remaining in the game, Timpview's girls basketball team kicked things into another gear. The Thunderbirds responded by scoring 11 straight points to pull away for the 56-44 victory.

Lehi led 41-40 when Timpview reeled off its 15-4 run to close the game.

"We just started playing good hard defense, and being more aggressive," said Timpview coach Kristen Pool. "That's how we got back in the game."

Most of Timpview's points during the 11-0 run were the result of deflections and steals that led to easy layups.

With the victory Timpview improved to 8-8 overall, but more importantly it bumped its Region 7 mark to 6-5. It can lock up the No. 3 seed from Region 7 heading into the 4A state tournament with a victory Friday at Westlake.

Pool believes the nerves associated with the final home game of the season got the better of her girls throughout most of the game.

"We came out overexcited with it being senior night," said Pool, whose team trailed 19-16 at the half.

The T-birds were led by Lauryn Dela Cruz and Lani MacLennan, who each scored 12 points.

In the loss, Lehi was led by Aerin Ogden, who finished with a game-high 17 points.

"Even though Lehi's record doesn't show it, they're a strong team," said Pool. "They have people who can score and people who can do things."

e-mail: jedward@desnews.com