Down 4 points in overtime, the Oak Harbor High School girls basketball team roared back to defeat visiting Mountlake Terrace 49-45 Wednesday, Nov. 29.

Sophomore Jasmine Ford scored 8 points in OT, including hitting six of eight free throws, to help the Wildcats secure the win.

The Hawks hit the first two buckets in overtime, taking a 43-39 lead. But Mountlake Terrace allowed Oak Harbor back in the game by throwing two temper tantrums.

First, Ford was fouled, and the offending Hawk was called for a technical foul for slamming the ball on the floor.

Ford sank three of four foul shots, then, after Oak Harbor was granted the ball out of bounds, hit a bucket off a nice feed from Mia Littlejohn. The 5-point possession gave the Wildcats a 44-43 lead with 2:12 remaining.

On Oak Harbor’s next possession, Ford was fouled again. And, again, Terrace was slapped with a technical foul for protesting the call.

And, again, Ford hit three of the four free throws to push the lead to 47-43 with 1:01 left.

Mountlake Terrace connected on two foul shots to get within two, but failed to score in its next two possessions.

Littlejohn iced the game with two free throws with 0.2 seconds left.

The pressure free-throw shooting by Oak Harbor late in the game helped the Wildcats overcome a 1-for-12 start at the stripe. Oak Harbor finished 18-for-39. Terrace was 8-for-16 at the line.

The game was close throughout. The Hawks went up 6-0 and led 14-7 at the quarter; that 7-point lead was the largest of the game.

Oak Harbor tied the game at 15 midway through the second period. The Hawks then finished the half on an 8-1 run to go up by 7 once more.

Oak Harbor limited Terrace to 4 third-quarter points and trailed by only 2, 29-27, going into the final frame.

The Wildcats took their first lead, 33-31, on a Ford hoop with 4:24 left in the game.

Oak Harbor widened its advantage to 38-33 with 1:41 remaining, but Mountlake Terrace’s Nohea Morrison hit two three-balls, including one at the buzzer, to send the game to overtime.

Ford also collected 10 rebounds and three blocks for the ‘Cats.

“She had a big game for us,” coach Jon Atkins said. “We have to do a better job of getting her the ball.”

Ford was backed by a blue-collar effort by Samantha Hines, who battled for 16 rebounds, five steals and 4 points.

“Her motor is always running,” Atkins said of Hines’ work ethic. “She always gives 100 percent.”

Mikhaela Cortez added 7 points, Littlejohn 5, Jordan Wood-Pina 4, Miranda Wilson 3 and Emily Gouge 1.

Skyler Cristelli led Terrace with 14; Morrison finished with 11.

Oak Harbor (1-1) plays at Bellingham at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2. The Raiders are 1-0 after defeating Coupeville 43-31 Monday.

Jordan Ford flies by Mountlake Terrace’s Jasmine Zenk for two points. (Photo by John Fisken)