St. Bede’s Heiberger Sinks Last-Minute 3-Pointer for Victory

UPDATE: Freshman guard Hannah Heiberger delivered a thrilling moment for the St. Bede Bruins on Thursday night, hitting a decisive 3-pointer with just 4.8 seconds remaining, securing a 40-37 victory over the Midland Timberwolves during a Tri-County Conference showdown in Peru. This nail-biting finish has fans buzzing and reinforces St. Bede’s growing confidence.

With the clock winding down and the game on the line, Heiberger, unfazed by the pressure, took a deep breath and executed a perfect shot from beyond the arc. “If I thought too much about it, I don’t know if it would have gone in,” Heiberger remarked post-game. “I was just happy that I could do that for my team.”

The game was a rollercoaster, featuring a dramatic final minute where the Bruins rallied to score six points, overcoming a late lead from Midland. The Timberwolves had moved ahead 37-34 thanks to two free throws from Emma Franks, but St. Bede’s senior Lili McClain quickly responded with a critical three-pointer to tie the game.

Coach Tom Ptak decided against calling a timeout in the final moments, allowing his team to capitalize on the fast break. “I want them to go after the shots they are comfortable with,” Ptak explained. “I was very impressed with Hannah. She had ice in her veins to shoot a 3 in that situation.”

As the final seconds ticked away, Heiberger’s shot sent the Bruins’ bench into a frenzy, showcasing the emotional weight of the moment. The win elevates St. Bede’s record to 4-3, marking their fourth consecutive victory and maintaining a perfect 2-0 record in conference play.

Both teams faced a defensive battle throughout the game, particularly in the third quarter, where only a single basket was scored by Midland’s Anna McGlasson. St. Bede’s defense held strong, limiting the Timberwolves to just seven combined points in that quarter, demonstrating their commitment to hard-nosed man-to-man defense.

Heiberger and McClain each contributed 13 points for St. Bede, while Bray added eight points. McGlasson led Midland with a game-high 16 points, but the Timberwolves could not maintain their lead in the face of St. Bede’s late-game heroics.

Looking ahead, St. Bede aims to build on this momentum in their next matchup, as they set their sights on continuing their winning streak in a tough conference landscape. Coach Ptak highlighted the significance of this victory, stating, “It gives us confidence that we can compete in this conference.”

As fans celebrate this thrilling finish, Heiberger’s standout performance is poised to become a defining moment in her freshman season, inspiring teammates and supporters alike.

Stay tuned for updates on the Bruins’ journey as they look to extend their success in the coming games.