SLIPPERY ROCK — Haley Angerett wasn't going to wilt under the pressure.

Instead, the Slippery Rock High senior stepped to the foul line in a one-point game in overtime against rival Grove City and sunk both free throws.

Swish and swish.

Her two clutch foul shots sent the Rockets to a big 32-29 home win over the Eagles in a game that was all about staunch defense Thursday night.

“I just knew I had to make them for the team,” Angerett said. “I didn't want to let them down.”

Angerett scored all four points for Slippery Rock in overtime. Her lay-up with 1:46 remaining in the extra frame put the Rockets up 30-28.

“You just hope to get that first (basket in overtime),” Angerett said. “Because, normally, the first team that gets it wins.”

Any basket was tough to come by in this game as both sides played solid, strong, fundamental and stifling defense.

Grove City's biggest lead was four points at 4-0 midway through the first quarter. Slippery Rock's biggest advantage was 28-23 with just more than a minute remaining in the fourth quarter.

Slippery Rock (8-4, 3-2) clung to an 11-9 lead at halftime and Grove City led 17-16 after three quarters.

“I call it the backyard brawl because that's what it usually is, whether we are both tied for first, tied for last or No. 1 and 8,” said Slippery Rock coach Christin Miller. “It's always going to be a game.”

Grove City (9-5, 3-2) had a reputation of playing strong defense. The Eagles came in giving up a mere 37 points per game.

Slippery Rock, though, matched the Eagles' intensity steal by steal, blocked shot by blocked shot and rebound by rebound.

“Offensively, we couldn't buy a basket,” Miller said. “But with all the consternation we had on offense, I'm proud that the girls didn't give up on themselves on defense.”

It was the kind of game Grove City coach Mike Hostetler wanted — except for the final score.

The Eagles did rally from down five points with less than two minutes remaining in regulation as Danyelle Lucido hit a 3-pointer and Jenn Ferguson a lay-up to force overtime.

“We talked about that. We wanted a low-scoring game,” Hostetler said. “I don't know that it was a slow game. It was just a game where we played great defense and they played great defense.”

Grove City, though, was just 1-for-5 from the free throw line in overtime.

“I think fatigue just set in,” Hostetler said. “I'm just proud of the girls for as hard as they played. They had a chance to win it at the end.”

Angerett finished with 11 points — the only player on either team to crack double figures.

“It's hard to get open when the defense is that tight,” Angerett said. “It's always like that when we play Grove City. They always give us fits.”

It was Emily Campbell who gave Grove City the most fits.

The junior center scored just five points, but she grabbed 14 rebounds and also blocked a slew of shots.

“Emily has had two excellent consecutive games for us,” Miller said. “She is really stepping up.”

Campbell lost her starting spot a few weeks ago, but has since moved back into the lineup.

“It lit that fire,” Miller said. “Now she's going at it at both ends of the court.”

GROVE CITY 29

Hailey Hall 0-2 0-0 0, Corianne Hyduchak 4-9 0-0 8, Jordyn Wyllie 1-4 5-6 7, Jenn Ferguson 3-9 1-3 7, Arianna Sprando 2-3 0-0 4, Brenna Deyarmin 0-2 0-0 0, Danyelle Lucido 1-3 0-0 3, Alexis Deyarmin 0-1 0-0 0. Totals: 11-33 6-11 29.

SLIPPERY ROCK 32

Morgan Siebka 1-4 2-3 4, Haley Angerett 4-14 2-2 11, Emily Campbell 2-6 1-3 5, Riley McGonigle 1-3 0-0 2, Nicole Papley 2-5 0-0 4, Marissa Siebka 3-9 0-0 6, Sarah Kadlubek 0-0 0-0 0, Lauren Dietz 0-2 0-0 0. Totals: 13-44 5-8 32.

Grove City 4 5 8 11 1—29

Slippery Rock4 7 5 12 4—32

3-point goals: Grove City 1 (Lucido). Slippery Rock 1 (Angerett)

JV: Grove City 53-24

Monday: Titusville at Slippery Rock

Thursday: Meadville at Grove City