By Dean Russin

Sports Editor

ONEONTA _ Take the price tag off the fourth quarter. Morris owns it.

Bobbi-Jean Bryden scored nine of her game-high 17 points in the fourth quarter Saturday, lifting the Mustangs to a 46-32 victory over Milford in the Tri-Valley League girls basketball championship at Oneonta State.

Contributed photo by Cheryl Clough Morris guard Bobbi-Jean Bryden drives to the basket as Milford’s Morgan Dutcher defends during Saturday’s Tri-Valley League championship at Oneonta State.

West Division champion Morris held East winner Milford scoreless over the last 2 minutes, 3 seconds and outscored the Wildcats, 15-6, in the fourth period to win its first crossover title since 2004.

"We’re the team to beat right now," said senior forward Brandee Decker, one of three Morris players who finished with eight points. "We went undefeated in the Tri-Valley League, and now people are out to get us."

"That’s the way we like it," added senior guard Bryden, who went 7-for-14 from the foul line and grabbed 10 rebounds.

Although Milford (14-6) limited Bryden to five points in the first half, Morris received field goals from four players in each of the first two quarters en route to a 22-16 halftime lead. Bryden, Decker and Kayla Forgit sank shots in both quarters for the Mustangs (16-4), who got an inside basket from Kaitlin Meyers in the first period and a three-pointer from Lindsay Shumway in the second.

"I wasn’t hitting it outside at all in the first half," said Bryden, whose team went 12-0 in league play this winter. "But when they went to man (defense) in the second half, I started taking it to the basket."

Bryden’s sudden ability to penetrate led to 11 free throw attempts in the second half. She made six of them, helping Morris to a 15-for-26 performance at the line overall.[an error occurred while processing this directive]