Lancaster rallies, beats Lakewood 44-42 for 3A title

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Malia Rivers and Kaela Robinson each hit a single free throw in the final 1:13 to rally Lancaster to a 44-42 victory over Lakewood in the Class 3A girls basketball state championship Saturday evening at the Colonial Life Arena.

The Bruins trailed by 10 points, 40-30, with 6:31 remaining. They closed the game on a 14-2 run that included them scoring their final seven points from the free throw line. Lakewood had a chance to win it but Hayden Thorne drew a charge with three seconds remaining to seal it.

Lancaster (27-0) capped the first perfect season in school history and won a girls basketball state championship for the first time since 1947.

Malia Rivers paced the Lancaster attack with 11 points while Zaria Woods added 10 rebounds. Nine different Bruins scored.

Lakewood (22-5) was led by Sonora Dengokl with 17 points. Taja Randolph added 13 points. It was the first title game appearance for the Gators since forming in 1995.