BUTLER TWP — The teams played 40 minutes, had 16 lead changes and took 94 free throw shots.

It was all in a crazy night's work for the Butler and North Allegheny girls basketball teams.

But North Allegheny had the crazy things go its way.

The Tigers shook off an early 10-point deficit, blew a seven-point lead and then scored five points in the final 30 seconds of regulation before outlasting the Golden Tornado 83-78 in double overtime Monday night.

"It's frustrating," said Butler coach Dorothea Epps. "We had a chance to win it in regulation. This is the second straight week we've lost on our home floor. This puts us in a completely different category. We should be playing for a section title. Now we are just playing to get in (the playoffs)."

The loss was a costly one for Butler, dropping it to 13-5 overall, but, most importantly, 6-3 in the section. The Tornado are in third place behind New Castle and Seneca Valley.

Early in the game, it looked like Butler would have little problem with NA.

The Golden Tornado went on a 12-2 run to take a 26-16 lead midway through the second quarter and appeared poised to push the lead further.

But that didn't happen.

"That was our focus," said North Allegheny coach Will Saunders. "Our focus was starting out well and not falling behind by too much. When we fell behind, we fought back."

It helped that Butler's inside presence was severely hampered by foul trouble.

Amy Achesinski picked up two quick fouls early and spent much of the first half on the bench. Samantha Karns also was in foul trouble.

Both ended up fouling out in overtime.

"When they saw them go out, they just went to town," Epps said. "Who's in there? Who's going to block a shot? Who's going to defend inside?"

Even when Butler — or North Allegheny for that matter — did play defense inside, it usually resulted in a foul.

Butler made 39 free throws and attempted 53. North Allegheny was 33-of-41 from the line.

No one was better than NA's Rachel DiVosevic, who put on a clinic when it came to free throw shooting in the clutch.

DiVosevic made all 10 of her free throws in the two overtime periods and was 17-of-18 in the game. She finished with 27 points.

In the second overtime period, the Tigers didn't even bother running an offense. They just gave the ball to DiVosevic and let her do what she wanted.

"She's our top scorer and we want her to have the ball," Saunders said. "It was an incredible performance."

The stage was set for DiVosevic's heroics in overtime because Butler coughed up a five-point lead very late in regulation.

With a 61-56 advantage. NA's Sarah Haas hit a 3-pointer to cut the lead to two.

At the other end, Achesinski missed two free throws, opening the door for the Tigers.

Haas was fouled with four seconds remaining and nailed both free throws to send the game to the first overtime.

Despite her foul troubles, Achesinski finished with 16 points and 11 rebounds, but she struggled shooting, hitting just 4-of-11 shots from the floor.

Julie Ehrman added 16 for Butler.

"It's like everyone had a chance to do their part to get this victory tonight, but nobody really stepped up and did it," Epps said. "Now we're in a dog fight. I'm disappointed because there is no way we should have lost to this team."

The win gives North Allegheny (9-8, 3-6) a glimmer of hope.

After starting the season dreadfully, the Tigers are playing better now.

For Butler, the double-overtime loss is a hard one to swallow.

Epps' job now is to try to get her team to put this one behind them.

"They better," Epps said. "They better figure out a way, because we don't have time to sit around and mope. If they want to throw their season away, that's the way you do it. You just have to get past this game because there is nothing you can do about it."

NORTH ALLEGHENY 83

Rachel DiVosevic 5-10 17-18 27, Jackie Lang 4-7 1-3 9, Kristen Beatty 4-6 3-5 11, Dawn Murphy 0-0 0-0 0, Maria Nolan 2-7 3-4 7, Amanda Dice 0-1 2-2 2, Lisa Gleason 3-5 2-3 8, Ginny Thistle 3-4 0-0 6, Marissa Posteraro 1-1 2-2 5, Nina Gilsan 0-1 0-0 0, Sarah Haas 2-4 3-4 8. Totals: 24-46 33-41 83

BUTLER 78

Rachel Berry 2-5 8-8 12, Ashley Nocera 0-6 5-6 5, Amy Achesinski 4-11 8-14 16, Maria Baroffio 3-6 6-8 12, Sam Karns 1-2 0-3 2, Abby Herrit 0-0 0-0 0, Lyndsy Day 1-2 5-5 7, Liz Schultz 2-2 0-0 4, Julie Ehrman 5-12 5-7 16, Michelle Ritchey 1-2 2-2 4. Totals: 19-48 39-53 78

3-point goals:

Posteraro, Haas, Ehrman

JV:

Butler 28-24

Thursday:

Butler at Fox Chapel