Murray » The Murray Spartans were the last team to blink, as Candace Prestwich hit a free throw at the end of regulation to beat the Cottonwood Colts 34-33 on Friday.

After several failed possessions for both teams in the final minute, Prestwich scooped up a loose ball under the Spartans' basket with less than five seconds remaining and hustled down the court to get a final shot in before the buzzer.

Just shy of the three-point arc, Prestwich was fouled by McKenzie Anderson as she released the ball. She rimmed out the first free-throw attempt but sank the second as the Murray High gymnasium erupted.

"[Coming down the court,] I had a feeling that it was going to be me," said Prestwich, who finished the night with six points. "I told myself, 'It's got to me.' "

Neither team allowed much room for the other's offense to generate much momentum. Their previous matchup earlier in the season saw similar action, though Murray was able to pull away in the second half of that game. The Spartans were no stranger to the Colts' defensive game and didn't expect many chances this time around.

"Every time with them, it's just a tough game," said Murray coach Issachar Beh. "We knew this one would be a battle after the first game."

Coming into the third quarter down by six points, the Colts' defense took over to give themselves a chance. Anderson led Cottonwood in the comeback, hitting a series of free throws as Murray tried to hang onto its lead. Tina Hosea and Hana Tautaiolefue each scored six points for the Colts.

Murray's leading scorer, Mariah Duran, was held in check for the entire game. She finished with just two points, a season low, as either Hosea or Whitney Taylor were defending her on every Murray possession. Madison Woodard led the Spartans in scoring with 11 points.

The win was Murray's eighth in nine region games after starting 0-10 during the preseason, and gives the Spartans a two-game lead for second place, behind Skyline, in Region 2.