Free State sophomore forward Haley Hippe looks to put up a shot during the fourth quarter of Friday's game against Blue Valley Southwest at Olathe East.

OLATHE — Searching for their first win of the season Friday, Free State’s girls basketball players certainly had their opportunities against Blue Valley Southwest in the seventh-place game of the Lady Hawks Classic.

After rallying in the final minutes of the fourth quarter, the Firebirds couldn’t hold onto a five-point lead in the last 90 seconds of overtime in a 60-55 loss at Olathe East.

“We did some things (well),” Free State coach Ted Juneau said. “I’m sure it’s a good learning experience and that’s the way we have to look at it.”

The Firebirds (0-4) trailed by as many as eight points in the fourth quarter before making key stops through their zone defense. Freshman forward Shannon Clarke, who had a team-high 15 points and 11 rebounds, and junior Lauryn Jones provided most of the offense.

Down by two in the final seconds of regulation, junior guard Sam Lawrence rebounded an air ball and scored a layup at the buzzer. The put-back was likely a moment after the buzzer sounded, but the Firebirds received a fortunate ruling from the officials.

Free State senior guard Erin Cushing is congratulated by teammates after a timeout in the fourth quarter Friday against Blue Valley Southwest at Olathe East.

With some momentum following Lawrence’s game-tying shot, the Firebirds controlled the start of overtime. Sophomore forward Haley Hippe (nine points, seven rebounds) made layups on back-to-back possessions. Jones added a jumper on a pass from senior guard Erin Cushing.

But against BV Southwest’s full-court press, the Firebirds turned the ball over four times in the last 75 seconds. That was all the Timberwolves (2-3) needed as they made a 3-pointer and six straight free throws to pull away.

“It’s something that we work on every day,” Juneau said of BVSW’s press defense after the Firebirds committed 24 turnovers. “That’s the thing that’s frustrating. If we didn’t ever work on it or we didn’t expect it, then we say, OK. It’s just execution and understanding under pressure what they’ve got to do and they are young. They will learn. I’m confident of that.”

Clarke was forced to play through foul trouble for most of the night, but shined in the fourth quarter when she scored six straight points for the Firebirds to keep them within five points.

“Before the game,” Juneau said, “I told Shannon, ‘You’re a freshman, but you’ve got to play. Don’t hold back.’ I thought she really exerted herself in the game and was a big part of it.”

Free State freshman forward Shannon Clarke dribbles the ball past a double team against Blue Valley Southwest on Friday at Olathe East.

Down four points with under a minute to go in the fourth quarter, Mayela Edwards drew a foul on a strong drive and made one free throw. After the Timberwolves missed their own free throw attempt, Jones sunk a game-tying 3-pointer in front of her team’s bench.

Off of the bench, Jones had 13 points and seven rebounds. Cushing and junior Erin McClorey added six points.

“That’s what happens when you’re struggling and you don’t have everybody and you’re trying to find pieces,” Juneau said. “Here comes Lauryn, who played well (Thursday). We thought, ‘Hey, could we give her some more time today,’ and she did a really good job. She’ll probably become a part of that rotation and that’ll be important for us.”

The Firebirds accidentally committed a foul with the score tied at the end of regulation, but erased the mistake with Lawrence’s buzzer-beater.

In a game with six lead changes and countless momentum swings, the Firebirds just couldn’t find a way to keep their lead.

“We just couldn’t close it out,” Juneau said. “That’s unfortunate.”

Free State (55)

Erin McClorey 2-3 0-0 6, Sam Lawrence 1-5 0-1 2, Shannon Clarke 6-11 2-3 15, Haley Hippe 4-9 1-4 9, Erin Cushing 2-6 1-2 6, Liliana Keathley 1-3 0-0 3, Mayela Edwards 0-1 1-2 1, Joy Nunoo 0-2 0-0 0, Evy Harrel 0-0 0-0 0, Lauryn Jones 5-7 2-2 13. Totals 21-47 7-14 55.

Blue Valley Southwest (60)

Cassie Forcellini 1-11 2-2 5, Ashley Loeffelbein 6-15 5-7 21, Avery Miller 3-12 3-4 11, Arielle Sargent 2-8 4-6 8, Maddie Garretson 2-8 5-6 10, Lizzy Garretson 0-1 0-0 0, Jasarra Gantt 1-3 0-0 2, Peyton Justice 1-1 0-0 3. Totals 16-59 19-25 60.

Free State 3 18 10 16 8 — 55

BVSW 12 11 10 14 13 — 60

3-point goals: Free State 6-11 (McClorey 2, Clarke, Cushing, Keathley, Jones); BVSW 9-34 (Loeffelbein 4, Miller 2, Forcellini, Garretson, Justice). Fouled out: Clarke. Turnovers: Free State 24, BVSW 10.