Alexa Evangelista scored 17 points, grabbed 9 defensive rebounds and hit the game-winning free throws in overtime Friday night when Valley View defeated visiting Montrose, 53-50, in non-league girls basketball.
Valley View won its second straight to reach 2-1 while spoiling the season opener for Montrose, the two-time defending Lackawanna League Division 4 champion.
Montrose forced overtime when Aspen Smith drove the right side to score with five seconds left and force a 49-49 tie.
That was the last basket of the game.
Hayley Pompey hit one of two free throws to give Montrose the lead in overtime.
Evangelista made both her attempts to put Valley View in front. Maggie Pegula then added two more free throws with 10.3 seconds left.
Montrose led throughout the first half and Valley View led most of the second half.
Evangelista scored 15 of her points after halftime.
Isabella Rebar had 10 in the first half to keep the Cougars close. She finished with 12 points and 3 steals.
Maura Barrett had five assists.
Mia Snyder led Montrose with 14 points, including 12 in the first half on four 3-pointers.
Smith and Pompey added 11 points each.
Snyder opened the game with a 3-pointer, hit another for a 13-7 lead and added a third before the first quarter ended with Montrose on top, 19-12.
Valley View closed within 26-25 at halftime and went ahead, 37-34, with the help of eight third-quarter points by Evangelista.
Montrose stayed close by going 7-for-10 from the line in the fourth quarter putting Smith in position to force overtime with her drive that started beyond the 3-point arc out of a set offense.
