Timber Creek girls' calm finish turns back Dunbar

By Kevin Casas

Special to the Star-Telegram

Having ridden Hannah Selzer's offensive game all season, it was Keller Timber Creek coach Tina DeMichele pulling her off the floor late in the fourth quarter of a tight Class 4A bi-district playoff game Tuesday night at Keller Central High School.

And while the Lady Falcons' inside game showed up big to battle back, it was Selzer's two free throws late that carried her team to an eventual 57-54 win over Dunbar.

"I needed her to shoot," DiMichele said. "She was hesitant and we can't do that against a team like this."

Selzer, who had 18 points, calmly drilled both shots to give Timber Creek a 54-52 lead. It was the 11th and final lead change of the game.

Both teams traded turnovers before Creek's Emily Spector stepped in front of an errant Dunbar pass. Two free throws later and the Lady Falcons had a four-point lead with the Wildcats (18-6) on the ropes.

Spector would drop one more free throw for Timber Creek (22-11) after that.

"Coach just told me to calm down," Selzer said. "I had a big turnover here in the fourth and it got me rattled."

Timber Creek plays Stephenville at 7 p.m. Friday in Brock in the second round.

It was a Dunbar team with ferocious perimeter defense that forced Timber Creek into 17 turnovers.

And that produced a see-saw game that saw 11 lead changes and that playoff-worthy rally in the fourth quarter.

Timber Creek showed signs of pulling away early in the game with three consecutive 3-pointers to open the second quarter.

Those led to a 13-4 run and Selzer continued to work around the perimeter. She finished with 18 points and Melton had 11.

Dunbar, though, clawed back with its defense.

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