Osseo overcame a 12-point deficit in the first half to defeat St. Paul Central 63-56 Wednesday afternoon at Target Center.

St. Paul Central led 17-5 early on in the Class 4A quarterfinal, but Osseo finished the half on a 24-10 run to pull in front 29-27.

“We called a timeout and talked about how we needed to play and settle down and get going at the pace we knew we could compete,” Osseo coach John Rieser said.

Phillis Webb and Ayo Porte each scored 10 points in the first half, which was tied at 27 as the Minutemen, trying to slow the Orioles’ surge, kept possession most of the final minute. When they forced the ball inside, however, their size advantage didn’t work. Osseo’s Belinda Barfknecht knocked the ball out of Rayna Sherow’s reach to set up Webb for a breakaway layup in the final seconds, giving the Orioles their first lead since the opening minutes.

Poor free-throw shooting (seven-for-19) ruined the Minutemen’s chances late in the game, while the Orioles’ upperclassmen leadership held strong. Webb and Porte went on to collect a pair double-doubles. Webb had 19 points, 10 rebounds, and Porte had 11 points, 10 rebounds. 

Sade Chatman had 14 points and seven rebounds for St. Paul Central, and Sherow 10 rebounds, nine points.

“I don’t know what happened. I think we got a little too relaxed. Then it was tied. Then they had the lead at halftime,” Sherow said. “We’re usually better [at free throws]. They just didn’t fall all the way through.”

JASON GONZALEZ

1. Phillis Webb (Osseo) - Webb led all scores with 19 points on 8-16 shooting and 3-3 from the charity stripe. She also had 10 boards giving her a double double for the game. 

2. Madi Malone (Osseo) - She didn't shoot much but she was efficient when she did. Malone scored 10 points by going 3-4 from the field including 2-2 from 3 and 2-3 FT's. She also had 4 assists and some timely baskets.

3. Sade Chatman (St. Paul Central) - Chatman played strong in a losing effort by giving St. Paul Central 14 points and 7 rebounds. She shot 50% from the field and had 2 steals and 1 block. 

- Pete Heldstab, MN Girls Basketball Hub