A clutch three-pointer by Joni Robinson as regulation expired gave the Lady Tigers one last gasp – a gasp they used to topple the number eleven team in the state in overtime and move on to the second round of the regional tournament, topping Cumberland County 67-66.

The Lady Tigers traveled to Crossville Friday evening to challenge the 23-7 Lady Jets in a one versus four match-up. DeKalb ended up with the lowest seed from their district after being upset 41-39 by York in the consolation game of the District 8AA tourney at Tennessee Tech Monday. Meanwhile Crossville was the top of their district in the region and came into the game favored to win.

However, instead of being one-sided, the game ended up being a slug fest with the region foes going toe to toe the entire game. DeKalb came out swinging and took a 17-16 at the end of the first. They increased their advantage to 33-30 by half to the cheers of a large contingent of Lady Tiger fans who made the hour drive over to Crossville.

Cumberland County was able to wrestle the lead away from the Lady Tigers by the end of three, 43-41; however, the teams went back and forth through the final stanza, the game becoming physical as the seconds ticked away.

The home team was able to hold the advantage the last minute of the game until Robinson was able to knot the game at 60 as time expired. Tenacious defense by the Lady Tigers forced two key turnovers during overtime and allowed them to escape with the one point victory. The win is expecially sweet since Cumberland crushed the Lady Tigers by over 30 last year. Cumberland also had Miss Basketball Finalist Gracee Dishman who led all scorers Friday night with 32.

Four Lady Tigers finished in double digits. Lydia Brown led the Lady Tigers in scoring with 22, while Kadee Ferrell added 17, and Emme Colwell 11. Mya Ruch had 10, Joni Robinson 3, and Maddison Parsley and Kenzie France, both finished with points.

DeKalb will face Upperman for a fourth time this season, with the Lady Bees winning all three meetings, the last one putting the Lady Tigers out of the District 32-26 last week at Tennessee Tech. Upperman crushed Sequatchie County 69-30 in their opening Region game. The game is expected to be in Crossville barring a change of venue given Crossville’s early departure from the regionals. York, who upset DeKalb this past week, won their game at Bledsoe County, 54-41 and will take on Macon County who crushed Grundy County 83-35.