No. 10 Middletown was right there Wednesday night, in a one-possession game against No. 4 Newington with 57 seconds left.
The Blue Dragons came up just short again.
Newington outscored visiting Middletown 7-2 in that final minute for a 59-49 Central Connecticut Conference girls basketball victory. Last week, Newington held off Middletown in overtime.
Junior guard Lilly Ferguson, a UMass commit, scored 30 points as the hosts remained the CCC’s only unbeaten team at 9-0.
Junior forward Tyah Pettaway finished with 29 points.
“Full credit to Newington. They played a tremendous game tonight,” Middletown coach Rob Smernoff said.
At 6-2, the Blue Dragons are one of seven two-loss teams vying with five others to finish in the top eight in the CCC and secure a berth in its postseason tournament’s championship bracket.
“We still have a great opportunity to make the championship bracket,” Smernoff said.
Middletown struggled to find its offensive rhythm in the first quarter and fell behind 13-8, but it played Newington even in the second and third quarters and still trailed by just five (40-35) heading to the fourth.
“Although this loss stings right now, I strongly believe we will get better from this and finish the regular season on a strong note,” Smernoff said.
Middletown has four games left, starting with Berlin at home on Friday, and has beaten the four already this season.
MIDDLETOWN (6-2)
Jenaya Salafia 0-1-1; Jada Bryant 2-0-4; Aysia Henderson 0-1-1; Tyah Pettway 12-1-29; Kya Mayo 0-3-3; Shadae Bushay 3-1-7; Shalyn Smith 3-0-6. Totals: 20-7-49.
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NEWINGTON (9-0)
Karissa Zocco 1-2-4; Alexie Armour 3-0-6; Madison Romanello 5-0-10; Kayleigh Sanchez 1-0-2; Lilly Ferguson 10-8-30; Marliese Zocco 3-0-7. Totals: 23-10-59.
Score By Quarters
M 8 10 17 14–49
N 13 10 17 19–59
3-Pointers: M–Pettaway 4 ; N–Ferguson 2.