GORHAM — Lodia Ismail was fouled with 6.4 seconds left and made a pair of foul shots as Deering beat Gorham 44-43 in a nail-biting SMAA girls’ basketball game Tuesday at Gorham High.

Deering trailed 43-42 when an offensive rebound was tipped to Ismail, who was fouled and earned a one-and-one opportunity.

“Lodia knocking down those two pressure free throws with 6 seconds, that was huge,” said Deering Coach Mike Murphy.

Gorham advanced the ball and called a timeout with 3.3 seconds left. With less than 2 seconds on the clock, Gorham’s Kaylea Lundin had a good look from mid-range but the shot was just off, and Deering’s Amanda Brett pulled down the rebound to seal the game.

“We figured it was either going to (Abby) Hamilton off the screen or it’s going to (Emily) Esposito,” Murphy said. “We sagged off so there was nothing in the lane and we basically made someone else have to do it.

“(She) obviously had a good look at it but … their go-to are those two kids and if their other kids make it, they make it.”

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Gorham Coach Laughn Berthiaume was satisfied with the final attempt.

“We had a couple different options,” Berthiaume said. “I thought we had a good look at the end. We had a foul line jumper from a girl that I’m very comfortable with taking that shot.”

Deering extended its winning streak to seven games and improved to 9-2. The loss snapped an eight-game winning streak for Gorham (9-2) and was its first loss since Dec. 12 against Catherine McAuley.

“I thought we played well,” Berthiaume said. “I thought in the first half we had some good looks that we didn’t make. I thought we did a good job competing to get back in it and take the lead at the end, and really we were one rebound away from winning the game.”

Deering’s Tasia Titherington led all scorers with 17 points, including 12 in the second half. Titherington knocked down four 3-pointers, including a big one to put Deering ahead 42-41 with 46 seconds left.

“I felt good. I think we moved the ball good and got open shots, which helped,” said Titherington.

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“She can shoot it. And she hit a couple of big 3s when we needed it,” said Murphy.

Gorham was led by Esposito, who scored 14 points while pulling down eight rebounds and blocking three shots.

It was the first game back from an ankle sprain for Hamilton, who had not played since Christmas. She scored nine points, all in the second half.

“Hamilton and Esposito are a great combination for this league and the other kids can play for them so I’m very, very pleased,” said Murphy.


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