DIVISION III

Harvard-Westlake 41, Bakersfield Liberty 36--Karina Siam scored 12 points, including two free throws with eight seconds left, to help the top-seeded Wolverines hold off Liberty in a Southern Regional game at Studio City.

Lyndsey Medders had eight points and Erin Stepheson scored six for Harvard-Westlake.

Harvard-Westlake (27-5) defeated Liberty, 51-29, in the first round of the Santa Barbara tournament two months ago but had a much tougher time Tuesday.

“It’s always hard to beat someone a second time,” said Coach Melissa Hearlihy of Harvard-Westlake. “For some reason, our offense just couldn’t take off. But the thing about this team is we just don’t quit.”

Eighth-seeded Liberty (19-9), the Central Section runner-up, tied the score, 36-36, with 45 seconds left, but Siam broke the tie four seconds later with a jump shot from the corner.

“Karina is a gifted shooter,” Hearlihy said. “When she gets a clear look at the bucket, she’s money.”

Medders was fouled intentionally with 13 seconds and hit the first of two free throws.

Siam clinched the victory after being fouled on the next possession.

Harvard-Westlake used a 10-3 run at the start of the fourth quarter to build a 34-26 lead, but Chantal Kazay fouled out with 3:34 left and Nyasha Bralock left 1:10 later.