It was a furtherance of four minutes that proved fruitful in a fulfillment of victory on Monday night at the Gator Dome.

Relying on defense at critical times, Class 4A South Puget Sound League Decatur broke into the win column for the first time after six losses in a 45-41 non league overtime win against Class 3A Seamount League Highline.

"This group of players plays outstanding defense," testified Decatur head coach Kevin Rawie. "After a summer without playing together, these girls continue to learn to play together. We're capable and have a lot of heart. The girls just dig down deep."

In overtime, Takiya Flowers fed Alexis Cole for a layin to give the Gators a 38-36 lead. Amber Coughran countered with a Pirate free throw before Flowers stole the ball at midcourt and drove to the basket for a 40-37 Decatur margin. Samantha Erben got free on the back side for a lay up as Highline drew within 40-39. Flowers then faced up from the top of the key beyond the three-point arc and bombed home the goal for a 43-39 Gator advantage with 1:17 remaining in the overtime.

"I didn't hesitate to shoot," remarked Flowers, who scored five of her 10 points in the overtime. "I had confidence in my shot."

Highline stayed close on another Erben back cut and the score was 43-41 with 1:03 left. Although the Pirates continued to attack, these were their final points. Kayla Lipston was fouled in the act of shooting and converted both free throws for the Gators with 32.3 seconds left. The game ended with Highline storming the offensive boards, but failing to score again.

The Pirates shot out of the gate to assume a 4-0 lead in game opening action. After Decatur retaliated with a 6-0 run later in the quarter for a 9-6 lead, the Pirates made it a 9-9 standoff at the end of the quarter.

Three ties created a 15-15 second quarter draw before Lynette Owusu's free throw and bank shot gave the Pirates an 18-15 lead that Denisha Green of the Gators trimmed with a free throw to close out the quarter.

Lindsey Dickinson came off the bench as a comeback catalyst for a 6-0 Decatur salvo to open the second half. Dickinson began with a basket from the baseline ahead of her defensive gem of a blocked shot. It was Dickinson again on a pull up jump shot before Flowers stole the ball and fed Lipston for the hoop that put the Gators into a 22-18 lead.

Delivering a counter offensive, the Pirates sailed back with eight consecutive points, capitalizing on Decatur turnovers. Owusu continued her hard work inside the key with a basket. Caughron converted a free throw ahead of an Erben lay up and followed these up with a free throw. When Owusu passed the ball to Erben for an inside goal, Highline was in command at 26-22. Chasity Smith brought the Gators back within 26-24 on a lay up as the third quarter ended.

Fourth quarter action featured Highline (3-3 overall) assuming leads of 30-26 and 35-30 on the strength of strong play from Owusu and six-feet, two-inch Sophia Lockleer. Lipston, playing with high intensity throughout the game, dropped home a turn around jump shot and converted a free throw.

After Decatur's Cole sank the second of two free throw chances, Erben did likewise for the Pirates for a 36-34 Highline lead with 39.7 seconds left in regulation play. Mik'kell Frier slipped inside to tie the game for the Gators.

In the final frantic seconds, the Decatur defense staved off the determined efforts of Highline on the offensive boards to force the four-minute overtime.

"Oh, my gosh," gasped Lipston, who scored 10 points along with four blocked shots, tough defense and a wealth of rebounds. "Everytime we had a time out, we thought of pride. We turned the corner tonight. Our game is green, and behind us is brown."

For the Pirates, the loss was tough to take, but there were positives, as well.

"We had a few turnovers we made against the press and they handled the pressure a little better," proclaimed Highline head coach Paul Gary. "We were missing a few players tonight, but that's all right. This was an opportunity to play another game. It was a physical game, and we played well."

Cole added to the Gator point totals with eight points for the game.

Lockleer scored 14 points - 12 in the first half- to lead Highline. Erben escalated to 11 points while Owusu hustled to 10 points.