Roncalli High School girls basketball coach April McDivitt Schilling didn't have to think hard about a turning point.
With her Rebels leading by nine, her star player, Bridget Perry, had to go to the bench with four fouls early in the fourth quarter.
Host Bedford North Lawrence, ranked No. 2 in 4A, took full advantage en route to a 66-52 overtime triumph over the No. 5 Rebels in the Class 4A semistate before a packed crowd of more than 5,100. The Stars (27-0) will play Fort Wayne South (24-3) on Saturday at approximately 8:30 p.m. in the state final at the Hulman Center in Terre Haute.
The Rebels (24-4) had taken a 41-30 lead into the fourth quarter.
"They hit some big shots and we got some tough breaks," Schilling said. "Give credit to them. They're a great basketball team. They kept attacking. They didn't give up when we had our lead."
By the time Perry returned, Bedford North Lawrence was back in the game.
The Stars took a 49-47 lead on a 3-pointer by Brittani Rizzi late in regulation. After Perry missed a shot in the lane, Jenna Allen was fouled and missed the front end of a 1-and-1. Roncalli's Elizabeth Bowers tied it at 49-49 with a layup.
The Stars missed a potential game-winner at buzzer, but dominated in overtime.
Alexa Bailey, the daughter of former Bedford North Lawrence and Indiana University standout Damon Bailey, helped seal the game by hitting six free throws in the final minute on the court named after her dad.
Perry, who has signed with Purdue, led the Rebels with 22 points on 8-of-14 shooting.
"It's one of those things where the bounces don't go your way," Perry said. "I have no regrets. We played hard and gave a really good effort. We shouldn't hang our heads about this. We played our hearts out. I think we should all be proud despite the loss."
The Stars led 16-5 after the first quarter, but the Rebels stormed back to take a 23-19 halftime lead.
"We had a surge, but when they went on a run, we didn't have a response," Perry said of the fourth quarter.
Rizzi led Bedford with 20 points, hitting 6-of-16 3-pointers.
"She's got the short-term shooter's mentality. Every shot she takes, she thinks is going to go in," Bedford North Lawrence coach Kurt Godlevske said.
