SLIPPERY ROCK — It was the last game of the regular season; a non-region contest between two teams not even in the same class.

On the surface, Slippery Rock's girls basketball game against West Middlesex Tuesday night could have been passed off as a tune-up for the playoffs.

The Rockets and Big Red treated it as much more.

Motivated play on both sides led to spirited action, which included Slippery Rock's rally from a double-digit deficit that led to a thrilling 55-51 victory.

Slippery Rock, a Class 5A program, recently won its fifth straight region title. West Middlesex has claimed four straight District 10 Class 2A titles and finished runner-up in the state last March.

“They're well-known all over the state,” Slippery Rock coach Amber Osborn said of the Big Red. “They have one of the best post players (senior Makennah White) in the state. I'm so happy with how our girls responded with being undersized and not backing down.”

The Rockets (16-6), who trailed 31-20 at halftime, took the lead for good on a free throw from Anna Kadlubek that made the score 52-51 with 1:03 remaining in the game. White fouled out 11 seconds later with a game-high 20 points.

Ella McDermott hit two free throws with 23 seconds remaining and Kadlubek drained the clincher with just three seconds left.

“We're dealing with some injuries and it's tough to play a good 5A team on the road when you're not 100 percent,” said West Middlesex coach Mike Williams. “They're well-coached, just a really good team.”

Two things spurred Slippery Rock's comeback. First was its play on the defensive end of the court. After surrendering 19 points in the first quarter, the Rockets allowed no more than 12 in each of the final three periods to a Big Red team that has regularly reached 70 points this season.

The other catalyst was outside shooting. The Rockets made five treys in the first half, but they needed 21 attempts in doing so. They became much more efficient in the final two quarters, making six of 10 attempts from beyond the arc.

“Coach always tells us to keep shooting,” said sophomore guard Ella McDermott. “We didn't back down.”

“Some shots are going in and some aren't,” added Osborn, “but you can't score if you don't shoot.”

McDermott caught fire in the fourth quarter.

She and Kadlubek both sank baskets in the first minute of the period to give Slippery Rock a brief 40-39 lead. After the Big Red (15-6) regained the lead, McDermott then hit a pair of treys to pull her team to within 47-46.

Thirteen of McDermott's team-high 19 points came in the final eight minutes of the game.

“Ella has really evolved the second half of the season,” said Osborn. “She has good composure, doesn't get rattled and plays smart basketball on both offense and defense.”

The game was a tale of two halves for Williams.

“We hit shots early and Slippery Rock was missing open looks,” he said. “They heated up in the second half and we couldn't stop the bleeding.”

All five of Slippery Rock's starters played a key role in the win. Kelly Benson scored 11 points and sank two treys as part of the team's assault from the outside in the second half.

Hallie Raabe hit three treys in the first half, helping to keep Slippery Rock within striking distance, and finished with 11 points.

Kadlubek, the team's leading scorer on the season with 12.6 points per game, tallied 10.

“Bronwyn McCoy (sophomore forward) doesn't get a lot of credit, but she does a lot of the dirty work,” said Osborn. “She came up with a huge rebound after a missed free throw tonight (28 seconds left with Slippery Rock leading 52-51).”

A true team win against a very talented opponent.

“This is how we want to enter the playoffs,” said McDermott. “We can take a lot of confidence from this.”

Slippery Rock will now have a long break. As region champions, the Rockets will get a bye in the District 10 playoffs and aren't expected to play again until Feb. 22.

WEST MIDDLESEX 51

Taylor Tomko 1 2-2 4, Olivia Franks 5 0-0 13, Makennah White 9 2-2 20, Emily Anthony 3 1-2 10, Lexi Babcock 2 0-0 4, Kennedy Beatty 0 0-2 0, Katie Briggs 0 0-0 0. Totals: 20 5-8 51.

SLIPPERY ROCK 55

Anna Kadlubek 3 2-4 10, Kelly Benson 2 5-6 11, Hallie Raabe 3 2-6 11, Ella McDermott 5 5-6 19, Bronwyn McCoy 2 0-1 4. Totals: 15 14-23 55.

West Middlesex 19 12 8 12 — 51

Slippery Rock13 7 16 19 — 55

3-point goals: West Middlesex 6 (Franks 3, Anthony 3); Slippery Rock 11 (McDermott 4, Raabe 3, Kadlubek 2, Benson 2).

Next: District 10 Class 5A playoffs, TBD