It took four regular and two overtime periods for the East Jefferson Rivals varsity girls basketball team and the Vashon Island High squad to settle on a winner in their Saturday afternoon matchup.

The Rivals routed their Nisqually League foes 44-40 in a barn-burner of an affair.

EJ finished the opening period with a slim, 16-13 lead that was capped off by a three-point buzzer beater by sophomore point guard Kay Botkin.

The Pirates came back with a vengeance in the second period, swarming EJ on their way to a 24-18 lead.

Following halftime, EJ’s senior forward Alyssa Vandenberg commanded the paint and brought her squad right back into the mix with 10 individual points over Vashon in the period.

As the final period approached, the Rivals were up 30-29.

The fourth period was dominated by the defense, though the Pirates scrapped one more point than EJ to hold a tie and head to overtime. 

The first overtime period was full of drama as EJ had to continue without Vandenberg, their talisman and lead scorer, who fouled out. The squads continued neck-and-neck, and EJ freshman Penina Vailolo displayed nerves of steel after sinking two clutch free throws to bring on second overtime.

Both squads were gassed after five periods of play, but the Rivals mustered the strength to win 44-40 at home in Chimacum High.

Vandenberg led EJ in scoring with 20 points, followed by Botkin netting 12, and sophomore Juliette O’Hara scoring six points. Penina led in rebounds with 22 and Vandenberg collected 13 rebounds. Senior guard Maddy Harris earned five assists on the night while Botkin gained four. The overtime victory brings the Rivals’ record to 2-5 (2-2 conference) and they were scheduled to face Annie Wright Schools Tuesday.