HUTTO – The Hutto Lady Hippos needed an extra session to pick up a win in their home season opener Friday night.
Hutto edged Pflugerville, 57-52, in overtime after a second half comeback. Senior Victoria Escobedo led the Lady Hippos with 20 points, with 16 of those coming in the second half.
The Lady Panthers pounced on Hutto, 10-1, in the opening minutes of the game. Senior Taylor Hicks, 2024-25 first team all-district, got into foul trouble early and sat most of the first half.
Pflugerville start the second quarter with a 7-2 run, leading 21-7 with less than six minutes left in the period. The Lady Hippos responded with a 9-2 to cut the lead to 23-15 with 2:20 left in the half.
Big defensive plays by the freshman duo Sarai Odunaiya and Athelia Shannon helped keep the Lady Hippos in striking distance. Despite 20 turnovers in the first half, Hutto only trailed Pflugerville 26-17 going into halftime.
After the break, the Lady Hippos came out aggressive on defense and caused turnovers, cutting the lead to 32-29 with three minutes left in the third. Sophomore Audrianna Yancey’s six points in the third helped Hutto outscore the Lady Panthers, 17-10, in the third, pulling within two headed to the fourth.
“I think this is the grittiest team I’ve ever had,” Head Coach Samantha Mullins said. “They turned it around and they locked in for the overtime session, and they were ready to go.”
Escobedo scored the first basket of the fourth for Hutto to tie the game at 36. The Lady Hippos took the lead after a free throw from Shannon with 7:27 left in regulation. The lead did not last long as Pflugerville took a fourpoint lead with less than five minutes to play.
Tied 43-43 with just under a minute left to play, Escobedo went onefor- two from the line to give Hutto the lead. On the second free throw, players from both teams got tied up, which called for a jump ball in the Lady Hippos favor.
Andrea Medrano, junior, was sent to the line with 28 seconds left to play. She missed both free throws, but Escobedo grabbed the rebound and scored giving Hutto the lead 46-43 with 21 seconds left. The Lady Hippos gave up a three-pointer to Pflugerville that tied the game 46-46.
Hutto had one more chance after Medrano was fouled with 1.3 seconds left. She missed both free throws, and Plufgerville secured the rebound to end regulation.
In overtime, Escobedo took over with six points, two steals and crucial offensive rebounds to keep the Lady Hippos in the game. An offensive rebound and put back by Odunaiya gave Hutto a 55-52 lead with 31 seconds left. Another steal and layup sealed the victory.
Yancey contributed nine, while Odunaiya and Hicks had eight and six, respectively.
With more than 20 turnovers and 21 missed free throws, Mullins said the team will finetune routines in preparation for the rest of the season.
“I think we can expect a true team where everyone is going to contribute,” Mullins said.
With players ranging from freshmen to seniors, Mullins sees players ready to sacrifice for each other.
“The energy is great, and as far as the cohesiveness, these girls actually get it and they want to fight for each other,” she said. “That’s not something I can necessarily coach or teach.”
The Lady Hippos were on the road Tuesday to face Liberty Hill.
