Tiffany Jones free throws helped the Eagles close the gap to four, 33-29 midway through the third quarter but the Blazers answered the 6-0 run with a 6-0 run of their own on 3-pointers by Dixon and Williams. With the lead at 10, 39-29 and just under 4 minutes to go in the quarter Bergtraum’s experience seemed poised to take control of the game.

At that point St. Michael’s Academy sophomore sharp shooter Allysia Rohlehr stepped up big time. On three consecutive possessions Rohlehr stole Bergtraum’s momentum connecting 3 times including a long range 3 pointer. Her personal 7-0 run closed the Blazer lead to just 1, 47-46. St. Mike’s senior Janine Davis connected on a 3-pointer of her own and Ford finished an uncontested lay-up to extend the Eagles run 12-1 and give them their first lead since midway through the second quarter.

Bergtraum’s Dixon wasn’t through herself as she drained a 3-pointer from the left wing with just 49 seconds to go to tie the game. On the inbounds play St. Mike’s seemed to be feeling the pressure as they threw the ball to the defending champs who then missed an open 3-pointer and a chance to take the lead.

That was the break the Eagles needed as junior forward Jelleah Sidney was fouled with 15 seconds to go. Sidney connected on both free throws to give Michael’s the lead for good, 58-56. Junior Doris Ortega had a chance to tie the game but was stripped by Tournament MVP junior Jennifer O’Neill who iced the game 60-56.

On what appeared to be the final play of the game Sidney stole the inbounds and laid it in for a 62-56 lead. The St. Mike’s bench exploded and was assessed a technical foul. Bergtraum hit both free throws for the 62-58 final.