Comets lose heartbreaker to Huskies, 43-37

By John Burbridge sports@charlescitypress.com

OELWEIN — It looked as if Friday night was going to be the night.

Seeking their first win of the season, the Charles City Comets took a 10-point lead in the fourth quarter of their Northeast Iowa Conference girls basketball away game against Oelwein on Friday.

But the Huskies were able to finish the game with a 16-0 run with a stunning come-from-behind 43-37 victory.

For Oelwein, it improved its overall record to 6-11 and earned it its second NEIC win of the season (2-8), which was another close game against the Comets.

For Charles City, the heartbreaking loss dropped it to 0-15 and 0-9.

Oelwein took an early lead and was up 9-8 after one quarter and 16-13 late in the second.

Charles City senior Payton Reams tied the game at 16 with a 3-pointer before free throws by Jodie Sindlinger put the Comets up 18-16 at the half,

The Comets were able to build their advantage in the second half. Lynn Hoeft’s steal and layup made the score 28-22 before another 3-pointer by Reams and a jumper in the lane by Hoeft gave Charles City its biggest advantage at 37-27.

With Oelwein in a must-foul situation late in the game, the Comets were unable to convert at the free-throw line allowing the Huskies to creep up on them.

When Drucille Jorgensen hit a 3-point shot from the baseline, it drew Oelwein within 1 (37-36) with 50 seconds left in regulation while suddenly waking up a laconic home crowd.

After a missed free throw on Charles City’s ensuing possession, Oelwein junior Drew Becker seized the rebound and dribbled the length of the floor for the go-ahead layup.

Amber Rosenstiel led all scorers with 15 points and Becker scored 14 for the Huskies.

Charles City juniors Sindlinger and Kara Hoffman, who had three 3-pointers, each had 9 points for the Comets.

OELWEIN 43, CHARLES CITY 37

Scoring By Quarters

CHARLES CITY 8 10 15 6 — 37

OELWEIN 9 7 11 16  — 43

CHARLES CITY (37)

Lynn Hoeft 8, Danielle Stock 3, Payton Reams 6, Kara Hoffman 9, Olivia Zuspan 2, Jodie Sindlinger 9.

OELWEIN (43)

Emma Hefel 1, Haley Woodson 8, Drew Becker 14, Drucille Jorgensen 5, Amber Rosenstiel 15.