By Matt Singledecker

Springfield Times Reporter

No matter how poorly the Thurston Colts shoot or play offensively, they can usually rely on two things: stout defense and Elise Nelson coming up huge in the clutch.

Nelson had five of her 16 points in overtime to help No. 4 Thurston grind out a 35-31 victory Tuesday over The Dalles-Wahtonka at Colt Coliseum in the first round of the 5A state playoffs.

Thurston had a 28-26 lead with 10 seconds left in the fourth after Kelli Rice made one of two free throws. However, nobody picked up Anndria North who went coast-to-coast untouched and laid the ball in at the buzzer, sending the game to overtime.

"This is a first time thing for all of us," THS coach Michelle Tuma said. "We were way too tight but we battled through it. They believed in themselves and executed down the stretch."

The Eagle Indians led 30-28 early in overtime, but Haley Partridge made two free throws to tie it. After Nelson made a free throw to take the lead she slashed hard to the hoop, came to a jump stop and kissed the ball off the glass to make it 33-30 with 1:45 left.

A minute later she drained two free throws to put the game away, giving the Colts their first playoff victory since 1992.

"We knew we'd face obstacles during the season and this was just another one to overcome," Nelson said. "We want to enjoy it. The wins will come if we enjoy the experience. We had the momentum going, we just had to sustain it."

The win sets up a second round match-up at No. 5 West Albany on Friday at 7 p.m.

For more on this and other news from around the Springfield area, be sure to pick up a copy of the March 5 issue of Springfield Times, available at news racks and stores all around the area. Look under the 'Newspaper Locations' link on this site to find out where. To subscribe to the paper, call 741-7368 or stop by 741 Main St.