Watertown Girls' Basketball Team Beats Lexington in Overtime

The Watertown girls' basketball team fought back from several deficits and then took over the game in overtime, defeating visiting Lexington 56-52, Thursday night, to claim its first victory.

Lexington (1-3) held leads of six points a few times during the game, including in the fourth quarter when the Minutemen went up 41-35 after a basket from sophomore Dana Dimodica.

From that point, the Raiders (1-3) held Lexington to only four points for the rest of regulation time and scored 10 of their own, to force overtime.

"We went to the line numerous times, and I think that was the key to the game," said Watertown coach Patrick Ferdinand. "(Lexington) kind of wore down, and we were able to take the ball to the basket."

In the extra session, Watertown freshman Gabriella Coppola took control and led the Raiders, scoring six of her 14 points in overtime.

It was a key rebound and put back by freshman Francesca Korte, however, that clinched the victory for the Raiders. Coppola had made the first free throw to put Watertown up 53-48, but missed the second.

"I just kind of got my round around the big (Lexington player), and boxed her out," Korte said. "It was just instinct. I didn't think, I just put it back up and it gave us the lead and that was what we needed."

As she laid the ball in, Korte was fouled and she made the shot from the line to put her team up 56-48.

Lexington coach Steve Solly said Watertown was just a bit better at the end of the game.

"Watertown executed the little things better down the stretch. That made the difference," Solly said. "I give them credit, it shows they are a well coached team."

The Raiders got a boost of momentum going into halftime thanks to Coppola. The Minutemen had a 21-15 lead, but the guard sank a three-point shot from just inside half court. Watertown continued the run in the beginning of the third quarter, scoring the first two baskets to take a 22-21 lead.

Lexington junior Cat Costello had a game high 23 points, and teammate sophomore Kristen Kajko scored 16 points.

Watertown's high scorer was junior Ashley Curtin-MacGregor, who had 19 points, including a few three-pointers. Senior Michelle Poirier got 11 points.

The Raiders are back in action on Dec. 27 when they host Tyngsboro at 4 p.m., while Lexington travels to Wilmington on Dec. 29 at 7 p.m.