YAKIMA — Port Angeles fell in heartbreaking fashion, 53-52, to Lynden to open the Class 2A girls basketball state tournament on Thursday.
Lynden freshman Elisa Kooiman pulled the Lions within one point with 9.6 seconds to go, hitting her first of two free-throw attempts to make it 52-51 Port Angeles.
She missed her second free throw but Lynden rebounded the ball and looked to go inside for a last-shot opportunity.
A Lions entry pass drew a crowd from both teams and with Lynden in the double bonus, Port Angeles’ Kylee Jeffers was whistled for a loose-ball foul, sending senior Ashlyn Morgan to the line.
Morgan knocked down two pressure-packed free throws with 3.3 seconds left and Port Angeles was unable to get off an attempt with their final possession.
The Roughriders defense carried them to a 26-13 halftime lead and a 41-29 lead entering the fourth quarter but the Lions, perennial state tormentors of Port Angeles, mounted a late comeback thanks mainly to the efforts of freshman standout Kooiman.
Kooiman was able to work her way down low for most of her 21 second-half points, taking advantage of the Riders foul trouble for buckets and plus-one opportunities at the line.
Morgan hit for 15 points for Lynden, including a perfect 9 of 9 from the free-throw line.
Krista Johnson led Port Angeles with 21 points, knocking down 4 of 9 3-point shots and swiping three steals.
Maddy Hinrichs finished with 10 points, eight rebounds and six assists for Port Angeles.
The Roughriders will face East Valley of Spokane in a loser-out contest at 9 a.m. Friday.
The winner will play for fourth and sixth place at 8 a.m. Saturday.
