Ward’s execution in the final minute won the game for the Cyclones (5-10 overall, 3-6 Kaw Valley League). Sophomore Taylor Williams buried a jumper with 41 seconds left to put BWHS up 55-53 and junior Hanna Barnhart hit both ends of a one-and-one with 2.5 seconds left.

THS (6-10, 3-7) didn’t score a basket in the final three minutes and its two points during that stretch came on free throws — one from Haley Smith with 1:37 to play and one from Tavia Brown with 1:20 left, which tied the game at 53.

Tonganoxie junior guard Amanda Holroyd took a potential go-ahead 3-pointer from the top of the key that rimmed out with five seconds left.

The Chieftains trailed, 51-36, in the opening minutes of the fourth before going on a 15-0 run in just more than three and a half minutes to tie the game.

Smith was the first to score in the run, hitting a jumper. Next, Madee Walker knocked down a 3. Holroyd hit two free throws to cut the deficit to eight, Danielle Miller created a three-point play with an offensive rebound and free throw before hitting two more at the foul line and Walker capped the run by banking in a 3-pointer with three minutes left.

Smith led THS with 12 points and Miller scored 10. Hannah Kemp finished with a team-best six assists and four Chieftains — Miller, Kemp, Brown and Emma Stilgenbauer — pulled down five rebounds apiece.

Sophomore Jenny Whitledge did not play in the loss due to a left ankle injury.

At 6 p.m. Tuesday, Tonganoxie plays host to Lansing.

Score by quarters

THS 9 18 9 17 — 53

BW 18 13 19 7 — 57

Tonganoxie scoring

Haley Smith 5-13 1-2 12, Amanda Holroyd 1-7 2-3 5, Tayler Miles 2-2 1-1 5, Danielle Miller 3-6 4-7 10, Hannah Kemp 1-4 3-4 5, Tavia Brown 2-3 1-4 5, Emma Stilgenbauer 1-3 3-8 5, Madee Walker 2-6 0-0 6.