2011 Iowa Girls State Basketball Tournament

Class 1A First Round Tournament

West Hancock 67, Bedford 59

West Hancock celebrated its first trip to the state tournament with a huge comeback.

The fifth-ranked Eagles trailed by 16 late in the first half and by 15 early in the third quarter before roaring back to beat No. 7 Bedford 67-59 in a first-round Class 1A game.

West Hancock did it by turning up its defensive pressure, crashing the boards and knocking down two key 3-pointers. Then, once the Eagles got the lead, they hit eight of 12 free throws in the final 1:41 to nail down the victory.

The Eagles, who start five juniors, have shown good scoring balance all season and they had it again Monday. Kaylee Weiland led the way with 13 points, Brookelyn Savoy scored 12 and Anna Mallen had 11 to go with nine rebounds and five steals.

Bedford also was a young team, starting three sophomores, a junior and a senior. Caila Raymond led the Bulldogs with 14 points, Kayley Folkerts and Peyton Russell scored 12 apiece and Savanna Thornton added 11. Bedford's Kendyl Gruttemeyer led all rebounders with 11, scored eight points and handed out four assists.

West Hancock trailed 42-27 early in the third quarter when it began its comeback. The Eagles chopped away steadily at the lead and pulled ahead 56-54 on Savoy's 3-pointer with 4:15 left.

After Bedford tied it on Thornton's basket, Savoy nailed a 3 from the left corner to put the Eagles ahead to stay at 59-56. They held Bedford without a basket for the final 3:58.

A key sequence came after Bedford, leading 54-51, rebounded a missed free throw. West Hancock's Sarah Mallen stole the ball and Anna Mallen converted a layup to cut the lead to a single point. Savoy then hit a 3 to give the Eagles their first lead since midway through the first quarter.

West Hancock is now 25-1 and will play top-ranked Martensdale-St. Marys in the semifinals at 6:45 p.m. Wednesday. Bedford finishes 21-5.

While Britt played in the state tournament previously, this is the program's first trip as West Hancock.