Lawrence High girls basketball coach Kristin Mallory didn’t know where to start or what to say.

After watching her team lose a 77-71 triple-overtime thriller Friday to Olathe South at LHS, one could empathize — there’s a lot to cover in 44 minutes of basketball.

The two teams combined for 115 field-goal attempts and 87 free throws, including 54 by the Falcons. Six players fouled out — four from LHS. And two last-second, game-tying shots added to the drama.

“We had our chances,” Mallory said. “Obviously, we had some calls that didn’t go our way, we had some things that didn’t go our way, but we’re not down from it. The girls hung in there the whole time.”

When the Lions (13-5 overall, 6-3 Sunflower League) streaked to a 26-10 lead midway through the second quarter, it didn’t look like it would be a classic. The LHS defense forced 10 turnovers in the first quarter and held O-South to just two field-goal attempts.

But the Falcons (11-7, 5-4) whittled away and took a 48-46 lead with 3:28 remaining in the fourth quarter. They were up 51-49 with 49 seconds left when LHS senior Audrey Pope drove the lane and dished to sophomore Rachael Klingler underneath the basket for a layup. Cue first overtime.

Polk, who led all scorers with 27 points, said the Lions probably should have sealed the win earlier.

“The problem was we didn’t focus after the first half,” she said.

The Lions took a 57-53 lead 90 seconds into the first overtime, but struggled getting good looks on offense. Junior Cherrale Ricks, who scored 14, fouled out, taking away the Lions’ inside game. The Falcons’ zone defense started to frustrate LHS even more, mostly because the Lions hesitated whenever an outside shot came up.

Lawrence High's Rachael KLingler, right, fights for a rebound with Olathe South's Aubrey Clair, left, and Suzie Boone (34). Klingler was one of four LHS players who fouled out in the Lions' 77-71 triple-overtime loss Friday night at LHS.

“We talked about getting the ball inside,” Mallory said. “I think they were a little bit reluctant to shoot, but we’ve got to step up and take those.”

Still, LHS led, 59-56, thanks to Polk’s drive and dish to sophomore Megan Klingler. But the Falcons hit a three-pointer with six seconds remaining. Cue double OT.

This time, South led, 67-65, heading into the final seconds, but LHS senior Leigh DeBiasse drove to the basket and sent the game into triple OT.

South would hit six of nine free throws in the third overtime, though, which was too much for an LHS squad missing three starters. It was a tense, tight finish that exhausted the Lions physically and mentally.

The upside? It can’t get any harder, especially with the sub-state tournament in two weeks.

“It will prepare us for sub-state,” DeBiasse said. “We’ll see them again because I think they locked up the six seed tonight, and if we win our next two games, we’ll lock up the three seed.”