Girls Basketball: Jentsch's buzzer-beater puts Z-M over Cotter

Zumbrota-Mazeppa’s overtime victory against Winona Cotter was a wild one Friday night in Winona.

The Cougars led for most of the game before committing a foul with .2 seconds left in regulation and a 2-point lead. Cotter’s Paige Gernes sank both free throws to send the game into overtime.

But Z-M would get the last statement as Amber Jentsch grabbed a rebound and her put back dropped through the net as the buzzer sounded in overtime to give the Cougars a 53-52 victory.

“We actually had a baseline shot with about four seconds left and then a rebound and that shot rolled around the rim,” Z-M head coach Scott Paukert said. “As the buzzer was about to sound, Amber caught it and put it in and that was it.”

The Cougars (1-2) led 29-18 at halftime after a 25-foot shot by Laura Brunner went in at the buzzer, Paukert said, and the score was tied 45-45 at the end of regulation.

Geena Miller led Z-M with 12 points, Brunner had 11 points and Hailey Dykes scored 10 points. Jentsch finished with eight points and six rebounds. The Cougars shot 52 percent from the field but just 10 of 23 from the free-throw line and committed 18 turnovers.

Z-M will play La Crescent Tuesday in La Crescent.

Tags: girls basketball, sports, prep, zumbrota, mazeppa