Spector's Buzzer Beater Propels UD to Win

Upper Dublin used a last-second three-pointer to earn a 36-33 win over Central Bucks East in a battle for the ninth and final state playoff berth.

By Scott Huff

‘The Shot.’

Upper Dublin junior Brianna Spector fired home a 3-point field goal with three seconds left in the game to send the Flying Cardinals (22-5) to the PIAA Quad-A state playoffs with an exhilarating 36-33 victory over Central Bucks East (20-7).

“All I really know is that it felt good coming out of my hand,” said a giddy Spector amid a crowd of celebrating players and fans.  “Taylor (Bryant) was supposed to drive down the lane, and she was able to get me the ball with an open shot.”

The game winning – state clinching – points were the only points of the game for Spector.

“That shot was nothing short of magical,” said Upper Dublin head coach Vince Catanzaro.  “The rotation on the ball was perfect, and the shot was definitely in her range.”

The Play.

With the score knotted 33-33, Upper Dublin held the ball outside the CB East zone for the final 3:15 before calling timeout with 10.4 seconds. The Flying Cardinals ran an inbounds play that began with Curtrena Goff throwing an uncontested inbounds pass to Bryant.  Bryant flashed toward the center of the lane, was cut off by an East defender, and connected with Spector who had both the good look and the good finish with the game-winning basket.

“The play was for me to go the basket,” said Bryant who finished with a team-high 15 points.  “I’m not too sure what happened, but I saw that Brianna had an open shot.  She is a good shooter, and she really came through for us.”

“We wanted the ball in Taylor’s hand, and we felt that if she took it to the rim she might either make the basket or get to the foul line,” said Catanzaro.  “But I guess she had a better idea.”

The odds on Upper Dublin winning the game in the final moments were a long shot at best at the beginning of the fourth period.  CB East used its size advantage to take a 31-24 lead into the final period and were led by senior Lindsey Kelly who scored all 15 of her points in the first three periods.

“I thought that our guards did a great job of putting pressure on them in the fourth period,” said Catanzaro as the Cardinals limited the Patriots to just two fourth quarter points.  “Our guards really got after them, and we had a few good stops on defense.”

The victory will extend the season for Upper Dublin as the Flying Cardinals (District 1 – 9 seed) will face the (2-2 seed) in a Preliminary Round game to be played on Tuesday (3/6/12).

The season is over for the Patriots who will graduate captains Kelly and Shannon Devlin – along with Lexi Scrivano.

“When we lost to Haverford, we knew it was going to be a long way back to get into states,” said Bryant.  “When we were down seven, I wasn’t too sure that this wouldn’t be my last game.  But we played with great energy in that fourth quarter, and know we get to play more basketball.”

Thanks to ‘The Shot!’

Central Bucks East Patriots      6   12   13     2   -      33
Upper Dublin Cardinals            4   11     9   12   -      36
CB East:  Lindsey Kelly 15; Karoline White 7; Shannon Devlin 4; MargaretAnne Hubbell 4; Courtney Webster 2; and Lexi Scrivano 1.  Total – 33
Upper Dublin:  Taylor Bryant 15; Lauren Rothfeld 8; Curtrena Goff 4; Jen Myers 4; Brianna Spector 3; and Taylor Linus 2.  Total – 36. 

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