By: Dustin Kent - JCFloridan.com
The Chipola Lady Indians outscored Butler Community College (Kan.) 30-14 over the final nine minutes of the game to survive a major scare and win 64-54 to advance to the national semifinals in Salina, Kan.
The win was the 22nd in a row for the Lady Indians (33-1), who moved one step closer to the first national title in school history, overcoming a second-half deficit and massive foul trouble in the process.
Leading scorers Evelyn Akhator and Brianna Wright along with defensive stopper Khadijah Ellison all had four fouls with over 10 minutes left to play and Chipola down 40-34 with 9:18 to play.
But Chipola coach Greg Franklin kept his stars on the court and they rewarded him by sparking a decisive run, with Akhator and Wright combining to score 17 of the team's final 30 points.
Akhator finished with 16 points and 16 rebounds to lead the way, with Wright scoring all eight of her points after halftime and adding on 11 rebounds.
Rahni Bell had 11 points, including a pair of crucial three-pointers to put Chipola up 49-44 with 5:54 to play.
Tiffany Lewis also had nine points for the Lady Indians.
Te'era Williams led the way for Butler (34-3) with 21 points and eight rebounds, with Teanna Reid adding 15 points.
The Grizzlies trailed 22-16 at halftime after a lackluster first half for both teams, but they got it going early in the second half, with Ashley Gibson converting a pair of free throws and a three-point play to tie the game 31-31 with 13:28 to play.
Butler took its first lead since the opening minute of the game on two free throws from Williams, who then popped a free throw line jumper with 10:35 to play to make it 35-32.
Williams made it nine straight points with a three-point play and two more free throws to give Butler a 40-34 edge.
Chipola stormed right back with consecutive three-point plays from Wright and Akhator, with another three-point play from Wright tying the game 43-43 with 7:19 remaining.
A three-pointer by Bell put the Lady Indians back on top 46-44 and she added another triple off glass on the next Chipola possession to make it a five-point lead.
Two free throws by Lewis and a basket inside for Akhator put Chipola up nine, with a putback by Akhator and a steal and layup by Lewis staking the Lady Indians to a 59-46 lead with 3:14 to play.
Chipola won despite shooting just 33 percent from the field and committing 27 turnovers, making up for it by limiting Butler to 32 percent from the field and dominating the rebounding battle 50-34.
The Lady Indians will play in the semifinal round Friday night at 8 p.m. against the winner of Thursday night's late game between Hutchinson (Ka.) and Tyler (Tex.)