In a continuous back and forth game, it was the Lehighton girls basketball team that made things happen in the fourth quarter to come away with a victory over Catasauqua Monday, as the Indians topped the Rough Riders 49-46 in Colonial League action.

Lehighton has now stacked back-to-back wins for the second time this season, something that was a focal point for the squad.

“We put two wins in a row on the board as a goal,” Lehighton coach Nadia Gauronsky said,

Going into the fourth quarter, the Indians led Catasauqua 34-32. When Sarina Sankari tied up the game early in the quarter for the Rough Riders, it set the scene for an intense final minutes.

The Indians had more offensive attempts than Catasauqua in the quarter, although they only outscored the Rough Riders 15-14. A defining moment in the win occurred with 4:04 remaining.

Emma Repsher was able to score a basket and get fouled to kick off a comeback for her team. She brought the score within just one point of the Rough Riders at 42-41.

After almost two scoreless minutes, Repsher put up a three-pointer to tie the game 44-44 with 2:19 left. Ryleigh Trotman added another three-pointer just over a minute later with 1:14 left to give the Indians a 47-44 lead.

This was only Repsher’s second game of her senior season, as she was out for a knee injury.

“It’s more than just her shooting and ability, she just provides so much leadership on the court,” added Gauronsky.

While the ending of the game was thrilling, the first half saw both teams work to settle into a rhythm. The Indians held the lead the entire first quarter. Trotman had six points in the period as the Indians led 9-8.

The Rough Riders gained their first lead of the game at 3:02 in the second quarter. Kaylin Stewart added a basket and a foul shot to raise the score to 18-16. With both teams adding 14 points to the scoreboard in the second quarter, Lehighton led Catasauqua 23-22 going into the half.

At 6:36 remaining in the third quarter, Catasauqua’s Hailey Jenkins tied it at 26-26 with her basket. Neither team could hold a lead very long in the third.

With just 33 seconds left in the quarter, Stewart tied up the game at 32-32, but the Indians were able to put up a basket late in the period to go into the fourth quarter with a 34-32 lead.

The fourth quarter tested both the Indians and Rough Riders. It was physical and strategic. Ultimately, Lehighton’s eagerness to score and ability to keep the ball away from Catty allowed the Tribe to finish the game with a win.

LEADING SCORERS … Hailey Jenkins of Catasauqua was the leading scorer with 17 points. In the second quarter, she had three baskets. Ryleigh Trotman was the leading scorer for the Indians with her 15 points. Behind Jenkins and Trotman were Repsher and Reph of Lehighton. Repher put up 14 points while Reph had 11.

LOOKING FORWARD … With the win Lehighton now stands 6-8 for the season. Catasauqua is 4-7 with the league loss. In the Colonial League, the teams are close in the standings, with Lehighton currently eighth and Catasauqua ninth. Lehighton will play away at Saucon Valley tonight, and Catasauqua will face Northern Lehigh at home.

CATASAUQUA

Roberts 2-0-0-5, Sankari 3-1-2-7, Jenkins 7-3-4-17, Sierra 0-0-0-0, Stewart 3-4-7-10, Mullin 1-0-0-2, Mankos 1-0-0-2, Wetzel 0-0-0-0, Barna 1-0-0-3, Williams 0-0-0-0. TOTALS: 18-8-13-46.

LEHIGHTON

Arzuaga 0-0-0-0, Reph 5-1-2-11, Klotz 1-0-0-2, Uyvari 0-2-4-2, Trotman 5-4-4-15, Repsher 3-7-13-14, Sittler 0-0-0-0, Costenbader 1-2-2-5. TOTALS: 15-16-25-49.

Catasauqua 8 14 10 14 - 46

Lehighton 9 14 11 15 - 49

Three-Pointers: Catasauqua - Roberts 1, Barna 1. Lehighton - Repsher 1, Trotman 1, Costenbader 1

Records: Lehighton (6-8; 5-7); Catasauqua (4-7; 4-6)