Rosary Holds Off 4th-Quarter Rally, Squeaks Past Edison

Rosary survived one of the roughest rides it will take this season Tuesday against ninth-ranked Edison.

The Royals, ranked third in Orange County, opened an 18-point lead in the fourth quarter, only to squander it, and then won in the final seconds on Jenise Karcher’s free throws, 54-53, in a nonleague girls’ basketball game.

“We lost our composure,” Rosary Coach Richard Yoon said. “We thought we were going to win by 20. Edison wasn’t going to lay down. Not with the Ziemann twins.”

The Ziemanns, Rachael and Bianca, scored 19 apiece. Rachael Ziemann got her third foul and left in the second quarter with Rosary taking a 22-21 lead on Jen Farner’s free throws. It was part of a 15-0 run by the Royals to close out the half and take a 32-21 lead. Ziemann’s fourth foul came about three minutes into the third quarter with Rosary leading, 36-25. The lead was 41-30 going into the fourth, and Gayle Sonoda’s three-point basket capped a flurry that extended the lead to 48-30 with 6:28 remaining.

The rest of the game belonged to the Ziemanns and Edison’s defensive pressure, which then forced seven of Rosary’s 25 turnovers. Bianca Ziemann scored six points, and Rachael Ziemann scored 12 before fouling out in the final minute.

Rosary led, 52-41, with 2:25 to go, but Ashleigh Noda’s layup with 15 seconds left gave Edison a 53-52 lead. Bianca Ziemann was whistled for an intentional foul with 11 seconds remaining. Karcher made the first free throw to tie the score, 53-53, and after retaining possession, she converted on another with five seconds left.

Bianca Ziemann’s off-balance eight-footer at the buzzer missed.

“It’s a good game for us,” said Geoff Bell, Edison’s first-year coach. “If Rachael stays out of foul trouble, it’s a different game. She’s our only true point guard, and she picked up a couple of stupid fouls.”

Jennie Asensio scored a team-high 16 for Rosary, and had four steals.

Rosary improved to 3-0, while Edison dropped to 3-2.