It was only fitting that Carson High seniors Eliza Matley and Emily Collins had big games in their last regular-season appearance in Morse Burley Gym.
Matley scored 10 of her game-high 18 points in the fourth quarter and Collins held Galena's Taylor Schaller without a field goal in the final 16 minutes to spark Carson to a 44-38 win Thursday night in the regular-season finale.
The game came down to the final 41.6 seconds when Galena turned the ball over three times and the Senators knocked down six straight free throws, four by Matley and two by Savannah Smith.
"I was worried just because it was Senior Night," said Carson coach Todd Ackerman, who bid farewell to Matley, Collins, Kaitlyn Holmes, Tiana McAllister-Daggs and Paige Robinson. "I thought we played really well in the second half."
The biggest key in the second half was Collins' defense on Schaller, who finished with 12 points. In the final 16 minutes, Schaller went 0-for-5 from the floor and had just two free throws.
"I try to make sure that when she gives the ball up that she doesn't get it back," Collins said. "It's a challenge (to guard her). I look forward to holding her to as low as I can."
Galena put together an 8-2 run at the end of the first half for a 24-20 lead. McKenzie Wasley, who is Collins' cousin, led the surge with two 3-pointers.
Galena scored five of the first seven points of the second half for a 29-22 lead, but Carson closed the quarter with a 7-2 run, closing the gap to 31-29. McAllister-Daggs, Matley and Eleyna Thurman all contributed baskets in the surge, and Savannah Smith, who finished with nine points, added a free throw.
McKenna Ewald scored quickly to start the fourth quarter to give the Grizzlies a 33-29 lead, but a 9-4 run capped by two free throws by McAllister-Daggs gave Carson a 38-37 lead with 1:44 left.
After a Galena turnover and a missed free throw by Matley, Ali Zunino tied the game at 38 with a free throw.
The teams exchanged turnovers, and Matley gave Carson a 40-38 lead with 13 seconds left. Galena turned the ball over again when Wasley stepped into the court before inbounding the ball, a call that riled the Galena coaching staff.
Smith converted two free throws with 10.3 left, and after another turnover, Matley closed the game out with two free throws.
The win improved Carson's Northern 4A record to 11-5 heading into its first-round playoff match against Spanish Springs at Carson. Opening tip is set for 7 p.m.
"I'm looking forward to going to zone," said Collins, who scored four points on two first-quarter baskets.
