Merrimack Valley senior Jada Lucas grabbed the ball, turned her head forward and launched a pass to sophomore Emma McNutt. As the seconds counted down in the fourth quarter, McNutt finished strong at the rim to give the Pride the win.
The large Merrimack Valley crowd erupted after Bow’s half-court heave missed and the buzzer went off. Players rushed to the court to celebrate after outlasting a tough opponent in Bow.
“Honestly, just don’t miss,” McNutt said she was thinking as she dribbled toward the basket. “Look for open players and just take it to the rack and make it.”
In a game that had it all, battles under the basket, tense fouls, a come-from-behind effort and a game-winner, the Pride managed to upset the Bow Falcons, 42-40, in the Division II quarterfinals on Saturday.
No. 6 Merrimack Valley (15-5) came off a big win against No. 11 Laconia, 50-29, and started with fire against No. 3 Bow (16-4).
Pride Coach Bob McNutt said he always wants his team to start with energy, pressing full court and playing quickly.
“I just love the fact we kept grinding. I kept telling them, ‘Just get stops, we’re still in the lead,'” Coach McNutt said.
After a low-scoring first quarter, six Pride players made their mark on the scoresheet to go ahead 24-17 at half.
Bow had held its own after switching from zone defense to man-to-man, as sophomore Peyton Vaughn and freshman Bella Berg heated up to keep the game within reach.
In the third quarter, both teams reached the foul limit as the Falcons battled for every possession and Merrimack Valley grew desperate to stay ahead.
Down 12 points going into the fourth, Bow needed a change.
Vaughn took over with an 11-point fourth-quarter performance, including the game-tying basket. Her team’s defensive effort facilitated the comeback with a full-court press and good rebounding.
Senior Reis Domini kick-started Bow’s comeback with two made free throws, after which freshman Celia Roberge hit a pull-up jumper to cut the lead.
Down five, Vaughn got a put-back and shortly after got a steal to go on the fast-break to score a basket to bring the team within one point, 39-38. Vaughn, who led her team with 20 points, eventually tied the score 40-40 before McNutt’s go-ahead basket sealed the win for the Pride.
Despite the loss, Bow made significant leaps during a year of transition under first-year head coach Kate Walsh.
“They’ve given their best effort, we have a lot of young skill which really helps us,” Walsh said after the loss.
“We’re going to do whatever it takes to get better in the offseason and come back,” she added.
Moving into the semifinals, Merrimack Valley demonstrated it has a strong foundation to push the best teams to their limits.
Lucas and senior forward Izzy Navoy held it down on the boards while guards, senior Lauren Bailey, junior Lila Gray and McNutt were active with their hands to generate turnovers on defense.
Offensively, McNutt finished her night as MV’s top scorer with 10 points, backed up by Bailey and Lucas, each with seven.
“I think we’re a force to be reckoned with and we’re a strong team, we are ready to play anybody,” Lucas said post-game.
Bow’s freshman guard Kyleigh Duval (11) throws up a shot against Merrimack Valley senior Lauren Bailey (2). Credit: CHIP GRIFFIN / Photos by Chip 
Senior Jada Lucas (3) sinks a long two-pointer for MV over Bow’s outstretched Kyleigh Duval (L). Credit: CHIP GRIFFIN / Photos by Chip 
Bow freshman Celia Roberge (R) drives against Merrimack Valley senior Jada Lucas in the quarterfinal. Credit: CHIP GRIFFIN / Photos by Chip
Coach McNutt thinks his team still has to clean up stuff. They can’t allow a team back in the fourth, first of all, but he admitted he has to be better at managing those situations, too.
“I’m excited for the girls, excited for the team, I felt like we were a final four team,” he said.
The Pride will play No. 2 Derryfield (17-2) at Exeter High School on Wednesday at 6 p.m.