Andrews – The Lady Wildcats had a 14-point lead heading into the fourth quarter, but the Lady Eagles soared from behind to win the game 60-56.
Fans in the jam-packed Kenneth Solesbee Athletic Center were treated to a late comeback on Nov. 25. Andrews was on the verge of snapping a 16-game losing streak to Hiwassee Dam that dates back to 2018, but the Lady Eagles had other plans.
As the game got under way, it was deadlocked in the opening minutes of the contest. Andrews then took the lead on free throws, then extended it to a commanding 15-8 lead as they had all the momentum. The Lady Cats extended their lead to 18-9 heading into the second quarter.
Midway through the second quarter, the Lady Eagles began to cut into the Lady Cats’ lead, but Andrews piled on points before halftime. After pulling away with the lead, Andrews led 36-23 at the half.
The Lady Cats’ momentum continued into the second half, when they extended their lead in the third quarter. The Lady Eagles were still in the game, but the court was not tilted in their favor.
With a 14-point lead, the Lady Cats confidently headed into the fourth quarter looking to close out the game. Two minutes into the fourth quarter, the Lady Cats led 50-35, but about two minutes later the Lady Eagles closed that gap to 10 points.
Once the Lady Eagles were within 10 points, there was a momentum shift. With 1:50 remaining in the final frame, Hiwassee Dam called a timeout trailing by seven points. They called another timeout 14 seconds later after making it a five-point game.
Immediately after the timeout, the Lady Eagles made it a two-point game after Abby Harris drained a 3-pointer. In the final minute, Brinkley Payne went to the free throw line and made both free throws to tie the game at 55.
With 20 seconds left, Chanteah Rattler went to the line and gave Andrews a one-point lead. The Lady Eagles then drove down the court, and Payne made a layup to give the Lady Eagles the lead back.
Payne was fouled with 0.8 seconds left on the clock. She went to the free throw line and extended the Lady Eagles’ lead to two points.
With only enough time to inbound the ball, Andrews threw it down the court looking for an open player. The ball ricocheted off the ceiling, and the referees determined it was Lady Eagles’ ball before the clock even started.
With 0.8 seconds still left on the clock, the Lady Eagles inbounded the ball and Payne hit a buzzer-beater for the Lady Eagles’ comeback win.
Three Lady Eagles were in double digits, led by Payne with 24 points. Harris had 18 points, including three 3-pointers, while Brooklyn Orton was also in double digits with 11 points.
The Lady Wildcats also had three players in double digits led by Knox Davis with 17 points. Drea Cutshaw scored 16 points and Marley Blackwell had 12.
Andrews will return to the court on the road at Summit Charter at 6 p.m. Friday. They will return home to face Nantahala at 6 p.m. Tuesday.
The Eagles will be back in action Thursday, when they host out-of-state opponent Polk County, Tenn., at 6 p.m. They will then hit the road to face Swain County at 6:30 p.m. Friday. The Eagles will return home to host Nantahala at 6:30 p.m. Monday.
The Wildcats and Eagles will share the court again in Hiwassee Dam on Friday, Jan. 20, 2026.