PITTSBURG, KS - The Tigers (9-6) were down by as many as 11 points in the second half but rallied to upend the Purple Dragons.
After being put in a 44-33 hole late in the third quarter, Carthage used a 16-5 surge to tie the game at 49 at the midway point of the fourth.
"I think something just started to click for us late in the game," Carthage coach Chad Jones said. "It got a little bit heated on both sides, and the competition just kind of went up to the next level. Our girls just took that step, rode it and used it to their advantage."
The turning point came early in the fourth quarter when four straight technicalswere dealt, both teams drawing two apiece.
Soon after, Carthage senior LexiBlack converted the game-tying score on a four-point play, getting fouled on a made triple and making her ensuing free-throw attempt.
The play sparked a 9-0 run that gave the Tigers a three-point lead with less than four minutes to go.
After a triple by AubreeBeitzingertied the game at 52 apiece, Carthage closed with nine unanswered points.
"The technicalsand fouls really changed the game unfortunately," Pittsburg coach Kris Crottssaid. "We got down a little bit because of foul trouble and started to turn the ball over. It's hard to keep the pressure going when you get in foul trouble.
"I agree that things started to change (after the technicalswere called). I still don't really know the reasons for them being called. You'll have to ask the officials, I guess. Sometimes that's just how it is."
Black led the game in scoring with 21 points for Carthage. The Pittsburg scoring was paced by Madden Petty, who finished with 10.
Carthage takes on Blue Valley Northwest today at 5:30. Pittsburg plays on the Huskies on Friday at 5:30.

Carthage 61, Pittsburg 52
Carthage    15   12    14    20 - 61
Pittsburg     12   11    23      6 - 52

Scoring
Pittsburg (KS) Girls: Petty 18, Beitzinger 10, Ka. Matlock 7, S. Pinamonti 7, Unlisted Lady Purple Dragon #52 6, Z. Pinamonti 4.
Carthage Girls: Black 21, Fullerton 9, Negrette 9, M. Duncan 7, R. Kabance 6, Brunnert 5, Peters 4.
3PFG: Black 3, Beitzinger, Brunnert, R. Kabance, Negrette, Peters, Petty, S. Pinamonti
Technicals: Crotts, C. Jones, Petty