Oregon 46, Winnebago 40: It was now or never for the Oregon girls basketball team to get past rival Winnebago in Monday’s Class 2A Byron Regional.

After two straight seasons of losing to Winnebago, including a 42-36 loss Tuesday, Oregon finally avenged it with a 46-40 victory.

“We played smart,” Oregon’s Carissa Oelke said. “We were more focused this time.”

Oelke’s 3-point conversion with 1:48 left gave the Hawks the lead for good at 41-39.

Before that, the teams hadn’t allow too much of a separation during the second half. Oregon led 32-30 at the end of the third quarter.

When Oelke scored on the 3-point play in the fourth quarter, the score had been tied twice, at 36 and 38.

“This game was more intense,” said Oelke, who had 12 points. “We really wanted to get this win. This was huge for us and to be able to move on is great.”

The Hawks sealed the win with five free throws after Oelke’s basket. They advance to play top-seeded Rockford Lutheran in Tuesday’s semifinal at 6 p.m.

“We finally played patient and made the key baskets when we needed to,” Oregon coach T. Pat Donahue said.

Erin Pederson led the Hawks (16-11) with 13 points, and Kelsey Kleveland added 12 points.

The Indians had four turnovers in the fourth quarter.

Emily Myers and Hayley Thomas scored nine points apiece to lead Winnebago (17-9).

- Brenda Young, rrstar.com