Canton survives with double OT win over Tolland in tournament opener

Canton’s Ruby Theberge is surrounded by Tolland defenders as she drives to the basket in Saturday night’s Division IV tournament game. Canton won in double OT. (Photo courtesy Paul Amrose)

Canton High junior Ruby Theberge had 22 points including two key free throws in the final 30 seconds to lift No. 8 Canton to a 46-44 win over No. 25 Tolland in the first round of the CIAC Division IV tournament on Saturday night.

Leading by two points in the second OT, Canton’s Maya Affsa hits the floor for a loose ball and comes up with it, and dishes it to Theberge, who drove to the basket and scored with a layup to give Canton a four-point lead.

Lucy O’Connor had 13 points and 17 rebounds for the Warriors (15-7) while Tolland bows out with a 7-13 record.

The game was tied at 35 after regulation and was tied at 37 after the first OT period. It is the second longest game for Canton this century. The Warriors lost a triple OT game to Avon in December 2017.

Canton advances to the second round where they will host No. 24 Immaculate-Danbury on Tuesday at 6 p.m. in Canton. The Mustangs (9-13) beat No. 9 Nonnewaug, 53-51 on Saturday.

Canton’s Lucy O’Connor (13) had 13 points and pulled down 17 rebounds in Saturday night’s double OT win over Tolland. (Photo courtesy Paul Amrose)

Canton 46, Tolland 44, 2 OT
At Canton
Tolland (7-13)    13  7  10  5  2  7  — 44
Canton (15-7)     14  10  5  6  2  9  — 46

Editor’s note: We’ll have more on this game in the coming days.