The Miami Trace Lady Panthers saw there State Tournament run come to an end Thursday afternoon, falling to Hathaway Brown 48-40 in the Girls Division II State Semi finals.
The game turned into a tale of two half's. Miami Trace controlled the first and Hathaway Brown slowly took over in the second half. The Panthers tough defense forced the Blazers to shoot 1-11 from the field in the first quarter and Miami Trace held a 9-3 lead going into the second period. Hathaway Brown's shooting got a little better in the second as they ended the half going 6-21 for 29% while the Panthers were 10-25, including three 3 point shots. Miami trace outscored Hathaway Brown 14-12 in the quarter to take a 23-15 lead into the half.
The second half saw Hathaway Brown out-rebound the Panthers 20-12 including going on a stretch where they out-rebounded Miami Trace 17-1. The third period saw the first time on the afternoon where the Blazers outscored Miami Trace as well, 13-9 but the Panthers still had enough to hold a 32-28 lead going into the final quarter. In the fourth Hathaway Brown outscored the Panthers 20-8, most of which came from the free throw line, as the Panthers were able knock down only five shots the entire second half.
In the end it was too many offensive rebounds and second chance points for Miami Trace to overcome. Hathaway Brown finished the game grabbing thirteen offensive rebounds compared to the Panthers five.
Miami Trace overall shot 15-51 from the field for just 29%, they were 10-14 from the free throw line for 71%, shot 20% from behind the arc going 3-15, committed seven turnovers and pulled down 22 rebounds. Tanner Bryant led the way with 17 points and Victoria Fliehman added 12. The Panthers end their season 24-5.
Hathaway Brown shot 27% from the field going 13-48 they made 2-14 three point shots but knocked down 14 free throws for 74%, they committed 13 turnovers and pulled down 33 rebounds. They were led on the night by Purdue signee, Dani Lawson, 16 points, 10 of which came in the second half, and Kayden Lawson chipped in 12.
Hathaway Brown (17-10) now plays Kettering Archbishop Alter for the Division II State Championship Saturday morning at 10 a.m. at the Schottenstein center in Columbus.