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Sports

Rams Give Darien Coach Birthday Win in Overtime

Blue Wave Girls Basketball nips the Rams 71-68.

It was Darien Girls Basketball Coach Gary Peterson's birthday Wednesday evening, as the visiting Blue Wave took the court against arch-rival New Canaan. He gave his team one birthday request:

"No cupcakes please, just bring me a win."

Coach Peterson got his wish, as the Wave nipped the Rams 71-68 in an overtime thriller.
 
Darien trailed at the half 26-22, despite freshman center Meg Marren scoring most of her 15 points in the half.

The Wave went on a 19-4 run early in the third quarter, led by senior co-captain Liz Calby's sharp shooting, and built a 45-40 lead by the end of the period.  

New Canaan came back with a 11-4 run of their own in the fourth quarter, but still trailed by 5 points with less than a minute in regulation. A 3-pointer by Darien's Melissa Tweed and a last-second driving layup by Sarah Mannelly tied the game for the Rams and sent the teams into overtime.

Key buckets in the extra session by Nicole Buch, Calby and Marren, along with clutch free throws and tough rebounding by senior co-captain Leanne Stone sewed the game up for the Wave—a very happy birthday indeed for Coach Peterson.
 
Darien's record improves to 2-1, while New Canaan falls to 1-2. The Rams host Norwalk 7 p.m. Friday.

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New Canaan scoring:

Find out what's happening in New Canaanwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

  • Sarah Mannelly 24 points
  • Melissa Tweed 14
  • Kacey Pippitt 12
  • Ali Warlich 10

Darien scoring:

  • Liz Calby 25 points
  • Meg Marren 15
  • Nicole Buch 14
  • Leanne Stone 12

 

Editor's Note: Contributor John Boulton is a Blue Wave Basketball dad.

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