HUXLEY, IA – In a dramatic finish to the regular season, the Ballard women's basketball team staged a thrilling fourth-quarter comeback to defeat the Winterset Huskies 36-32 in a home conference matchup.  The victory, which marked Ballard's sixth win of the season, sends them into the postseason with momentum as they prepare for their regional quarterfinal matchup against Grinnell.

Ballard (6-15, 5-11 RRC) struggled offensively through the first three quarters, trailing Winterset (7-14, 5-11 RRC) 25-16 heading into the final frame.  However, a dominant 20-point fourth quarter turned the tide as senior Raegan Loewe took control of the game.

Loewe led all scorers with an impressive 23-point performance, shooting 8-of-13 from the field and an outstanding 5-of-7 from beyond the arc.  Her hot shooting, combined with key defensive plays from Kaylor Johnson and Olivia Wacha, fueled Ballard's late-game surge.

"This was a testament to our resilience," said Ballard head coach Pat Wynja.  "We never let the early struggles dictate our energy, and once we found our rhythm in the fourth quarter, we were able to take control."

Winterset set the pace early, holding a 7-4 lead after the first quarter and extending it to 17-9 by halftime.  The Huskies maintained their advantage through the third quarter, but Ballard's defense stiffened down the stretch, limiting Winterset to just seven points in the final eight minutes.

Freshman Maci Harder provided a crucial boost for the Bombers, adding nine points while knocking down a three-pointer.  Johnson was instrumental in the paint, pulling down seven rebounds and contributing four points.

On the defensive end, Wacha recorded four steals, while Loewe and Johnson each added three to help force Winterset into turnovers at key moments.

With the regular season now behind them, Ballard shifts its focus to the postseason.  They will travel to Grinnell for a 7:00 PM regional quarterfinal matchup, hoping to carry their newfound momentum into the playoffs.

Ballard returns home on Friday, February 14, to host Winterset in the regular season finale.  Tip-off is set for 6:00 PM as the Bombers look to finish strong before postseason play begins.

Photo Credit: Davidson Photography