St. Joseph-Ogden girls’ basketball to play in IHSA Regional Championship

BY FRED KRONER
fred@mahometnews.com

The Spartans continue to play teams close, salvaging a 34-32 win in Tuesday’s Class 2A regional semifinal game at home against Tuscola (17-10).

Seventeen of SJ-O’s 30 games have been settled by nine points, or less. The Spartans are 12-5 in those games.

SJ-O’s Ella Armstrong tallied a game-high 15 points, 12 in the opening half.

Taylor Barnes’ tie-breaking shot created the final margin for the Spartans, who overcame a 27-23 fourth-quarter deficit.

Hannah Dukeman, in her fifth game back following an injury that sidelined her during the first 25 games, scored six of her seven points in the fourth stanza.

The Spartans’ defense limited Tuscola to a pair of fourth-quarter field goals.

SJ-O (20-10) returns to action tonight at home at 7 o’clock in the regional championship game against Villa Grove/Heritage after snapping a four-game losing streak.

Tuesday’s win enabled SJ-O to reach the 20-win mark for the third consecutive season.