The Coppell Cowgirls program is making a statement this year. Coming off of a sub .500 season, the Cowgirls rallied to defeat Grapevine, 33-32, in overtime on Tuesday at CHS.

The win gives the Cowgirls an 11-3 record on the season heading into Friday’s game with John Paul II.

To lead off the fourth, Coppell trailed 27-20 and came out shooting, hitting a three to diminish the Grapevine lead. Another three, this one from the high key by senior shooting guard Kaeli Stayer was the exclamation point on the Cowgirl comeback, giving them their first lead since the beginning of the game.

As the clock wound down, the Lady Mustangs began to become frantic with their shots, driving to the hoop with reckless abandon, and it paid off. They gained two free throws off of a shooting foul committed by Coppell.

If she made both, the game was essentially over.

With the gym silent, in preparation for the end of a thriller, Grapevine missed the first and made the second.

It was time for OT.

Tied at 28, all the momentum was in the Cowgirls’ hands, yet two free throws by the Lady Mustangs created a 30-28 lead for Grapevine. The Cowgirls respond with a layup from Chidera Nwaiwu to tie.

After the Lady Mustangs failed to convert an and-one, the Cowgirls were down by two with a minute remaining.

With 46 seconds left on the clock, Coppell junior point guard Emma Johnson of Coppell nailed a three to ice the game.

Cowgirls coach Kristen Davis did not expect a defensive struggle.

“We typically play an up tempo game,” Davis said.

There would be little tempo to either offense throughout the entire night, as both teams displayed great ability on defense and rebounding, leading to zero points scored by either team during the first three minutes of the second quarter.

Grapevine eventually found their shot again, stretching the lead out to ten points at 16-6. Then, Johnson took lead of her team with a couple steals and hit both free throws, bringing the Cowgirls within eight.

After two baskets rained in by Grapevine, Johnson hit a long three near the end of the half to conclude the first two quarters with a score of 15-19 in favor of the Lady Mustangs. Grapevine had control of the lead for 15 of the 16 minutes in the half.

The third quarter began with a trading of lay ins by both squads, eventually leading to the third coming to an end at the score of 27-20. Though the lead was consistent by the Lady Mustangs, it was apparent that the Cowgirls offense was livening up, but they were just missing their shots.

Coppell came out the victors from a defensive struggle, showing leadership throughout the entire roster, displaying the new identity of the new coaching staff.