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During an 11-minute stretch spanning parts of the first, second and third quarters, the Patriots (7-1) recorded a grand total of two points.

However, Wootton would be able to muster enough offense to defeat Sherwood (1-7) 38-35 in the consolation game of the Sherwood Holiday Tournament.

"Obviously, we didn't play our best basketball over the holiday tournament," said Wootton head coach Maggie Dyer, whose team lost to Reservoir (Howard County) 67-65 in the first round. "That is disappointment, but I also think giving the kids some time off is beneficial. Not practicing [hurts] and you can see the effect, but I was real proud of the girls today for finishing in certain situations."

After Wootton sophomore center Gabby Flinchum (17 points, 13 rebounds, two blocks) converted an old-fashioned 3-point play at the end of the first quarter to give her team a 14-9 lead, the Patriots' offense went stagnant.

Flinchum's layup at the 4-minute, 38-second mark of the second quarter would be the team's only points until senior Chelsea Craig (eight points, 15 rebounds, three blocks) tied the game at 18 with 5:28 remaining in the third.

That basket jump-started the offense as Craig, who scored six of her eight points during the quarter, willed the Patriots to a 26-24 advantage heading into the fourth.

"Everyone kind of struggled shooting a little bit," said Craig. "But we were able to stay positive and stay with it. Gab [Flinchum] and I: It seemed I would shoot, miss and she would get the rebound. Then she would shoot, miss and I'd get the rebound."

Added Dyer: "When you are not hitting, you just have to pick up your defense and work on executing plays. I think the plays were working, but we just weren't able to put the ball in the basket for a bit."

Despite playing its best game all year, Sherwood was unable to capitalize on Wootton's shooting woes. The Warriors never built a lead larger than two points in the second half.

Still, Warriors freshman Katie Ruth got a 3-point attempt to tie the game with 1.9 seconds left, but her shot rimmed out.

"With the way we have been playing, that was a great loss for us," said Sherwood head coach Sandi Williams. "It was kind of like a win. We reduced our turnovers, because we have been turning the ball over like crazy. We maintained a lead and stuck with them. We went in with a gameplan of taking the big girls away from the ball and we did a pretty good job. … Hopefully we have turned the curb a little a bit."

Note: Upper Merion (Pa.) defeated Reservoir, 72-62, later Saturday to capture the tournament title.