Batavia 56, Glenbard South 51 (OT)

When it came time to find a go-to player, Batavia went to its 6-foot senior -- and Tracy Ferguson did not let down her teammates.

But after Batavia's 56-51 overtime victory over intrepid Glenbard South, Ferguson turned the credit back on the rest of her white-clad squad members.

"I think it was more our team," Ferguson said. "We talked it out at halftime and I think that's what got me going during the last half of the game and the overtime."

While a force rebounding, Ferguson had a quiet game offensively through most of regulation play. As the overtime began in the Western Sun Conference game with the teams tied 45-45, she had 6 points and 10 rebounds.

But in the extra 4 minutes, Ferguson scored 5 points, added another 2 rebounds and was a definite key in the hosts' victory.

"Tracy Ferguson in overtime was huge," Batavia coach Tim DeBruycker said. "It's nice to see our inside game step up."

The win continues Batavia's undefeated start to the season. The Bulldogs are 7-0 and have won their first 4 WSC contests.

"I'm kind of happy and I know the team is happy," Ferguson said. "It's a good day for me and it's a great day for the team."

The contest had a somewhat plodding pace through the first three quarters. The halftime score was 18-18 and Glenbard South (8-3, 2-2) led 31-29 entering the fourth quarter.

"We did a lot of little things right tonight," Glenbard South coach Julie Fonda said. "We did a lot of little things wrong tonight. We'll get better. We'll use this to build on."

In fact, the contest didn't truly spring to life until 2:36 remained when Batavia's Natalie Tarter hit a rebound layup. Tarter led all scorers with 22 points.

From that point, the game achieved a pace and a verve that had yet to be seen.

"We're an intense team and Batavia's an intense team and we both came out a little flat," Fonda said. "Once everyone kicked it into gear, it got to be an intense game."

Batavia edged ahead 45-43 with 6 seconds left on a pair of Tarter free throws. Glenbard South gained a chance to tie when Kim Schwerdtmann was fouled as time expired.

Schwerdtmann nailed both free throws to force overtime.

"The kid's got ice in her veins," Fonda said. "She is one of our best free throw shooters. She just went up there and did what she had to do."

The momentum switched quickly between the teams in overtime. Kara Lydon scored to give Batavia a 47-45 lead. Two Danielle Pipal free throws and a rebound layup by Nikki Simpson put Glenbard South ahead 49-47 with 3 minutes to play.

First Kelsey Oswald hit a layup for Batavia, then Ferguson hit a free throw and a short jumper.

Simpson scored Glenbard South's final points with 38 seconds to play. Tarter hit 2 free throws and Ferguson scored again to keep Batavia's undefeated streak going.

Simpson led Glenbard South with 16 points. Alicia Engelhardt added 10 points and 14 rebounds.