With a three-point lead and 4.3 seconds left in regulation, the Century High School girls’ basketball team needed to keep enough pressure on Idaho Falls to run out the clock.

    The Diamondbacks accomplished that long enough to almost win the game, but the Tigers’ Kerington Storms’ three-point attempt as the buzzer sounded counted instead of being waved off and the opening game of the season for the two schools was headed to overtime.

    “I was upset about the shot, but I told the kids to forget it,” Century head coach Chris Shuler said. “In the huddle before overtime I told them to go out and dominate and they were able to do that.”

    Senior Katherine Roberts, who was a force for the Diamondbacks the entire game, got the overtime off to a fast start when she drove hard to the basket and drew a foul.

    She made 1-of-2 free throws.

    Roberts also scored Century’s last two point of the game from the line as Century held on for a 54-51 overtime victory.

    The Tigers had a chance to send the game into a second overtime but Angela Sanchez’s shot rimmed off.

    Both teams exhibited a bit of first-game jitters as there were quite a few bad passes and missed shots around the basket.

    “That was first game basketball right there,” Shuler said. “Both teams struggled and it showed. We missed layups, and took shots when we were not open and the took shots we shouldn’t have. We will learn from what we did and move on.”

    Century opened the game hot thanks to the early play of Roberts. The senior scored eight of the Diamondbacks’ 12 first quarter points and was a force on defense.

    In the second quarter however, Idaho Falls found a way to shut Roberts down. With Roberts out the fold the Century offense scuffled and the Tigers took advantage.

    Idaho Falls went on a 13-6 run on the final four minutes of the second quarter to go into halftime with a 22-20 lead.

    “Idaho Falls runs a 2-3 zone and they run it so well,” Shuler said. “We struggled with it and it allowed them to build a lead.”

    Storms gave the Tigers a five point on lead with a three to start the second half on a 9-2 run to build an 11-point lead with 4:45 left in the quarter.

    During the first three quarters Century sophomore point guard Sarah Holt was held scoreless.

    With her team needing a spark the sophomore scored 10 points in the final period including eight in a 14-4 Century run in the final seven minutes of regulation.

    “Sarah and Katherine play so well together and you could see that tonight,” Shuler said. “You could see that they were starting to get things going in the fourth quarter. It will take the other girls a little bit to get into the flow with them, but when they do it will be fun to watch.”

    Roberts led all scorers with 21 points for Century. Holt finished the night with 13 and Henny Hearn added eight points.

    Century hosts Hillcrest Friday. Tip-off is 7:30 p.m.