By Don Ketchum

Sam Murphy knows all about putting forth extra effort on the basketball floor. She did it for four years as a freewheeling guard at Phoenix Xavier Prep and it earned her a starring role at Grand Canyon University.

Murphy was in attendance at Friday night’s (Feb. 4) game between Xavier and visiting Chandler Hamilton.

She had to be impressed by the efforts of senior guards Rikki Mulloy and Aubrey Lincoln at both ends of the floor. They combined for 42 points and helped Xavier emerge with a 74-71 double-overtime victory in one of the most well-played, entertaining games of the year.

Xavier raised its record to 15-6 while Hamilton dropped to 17-6. Xavier solidified its hold on its top-three spot in the Class 5A Division I power points chase. Hamilton entered the game at No. 4 and could remain there.

Mulloy scored five of her 23 points in the first overtime, including a three-pointer, and added a bucket in the second extra session. Lincoln finished with 19 points and scored 10 in the second half and two overtimes, including two key free throws with three seconds left in the second overtime.

“I think Rikki and Aubrey had something to prove,’’ said Xavier coach Mary Hauser. “Xavier has not traditionally been a basketball school, but they wanted to show that they can compete.’’

It wasn’t too long ago (Jan. 18) that Hamilton rolled to a 61-46 victory at Hamilton.

Hauser said her team “self-destructed’’ on that night, but did not wilt this time.

“The kids just play so hard. They never gave up. They rely on each other,’’ Hauser said.

The loss had to stun Hamilton, which was close to winning this one on several occasions after dropping a 70-55 game to rival Chandler on Tuesday night (Feb. 1).

Hamilton opened the game passing the ball as well as it has all season and closed out the first quarter with an 8-0 run to grab an 18-14 lead. The Huskies still had a one-point lead at the half.

A three-point play by Lincoln with 36 seconds left in the third put Xavier in front by two entering the fourth.

Back and forth it went in the fourth, with guard Erin Curry (24 points) keeping Hamilton in it with three-pointers at 2:58 and 1:17, the second of which skimmed the top of the backboard. Two free throws by Mulloy knotted it at 53-53 with 42 seconds left.

Curry and Mulloy traded three-pointers near the end of the first overtime. Hamilton blocked a shot, got possession and called timeout with 11 seconds left, but couldn’t convert an open shot at the buzzer.

Hamilton scored first in the second overtime, but Xavier scored three straight baskets by Annie Dolan, Katie Werner (16 points) and Mulloy to take a four-point lead.

Hamilton pulled to within 72-71 but missed the second of two free throws. The Huskies hustled to get the ball back and called time with :09 showing. After throwing the ball in, they stepped on the sideline in front of their own bench, and Lincoln came on to finish it off with two free throws at :03.