The Panthers advanced by beating Sand Rock 45-39 in the 2A Northeast Regional semifinal today at Jacksonville State. They did it by overcoming overcoming a 10-point Sand Rock lead with 5:25 left in the third quarter.
Lanett (18-10) chipped away and took its first lead since the first period when Alexis Harvey made a tie-breaking basket with 4:42 to play. Lanett never trailed again.
Sand Rock (21-9) cut the advantage to one at 38-37 with 1:15 to play, but Lanett's Erin Boyd and Harvey answered with two free throws apiece to fight off the challenge.
Ataiya Bridges had 14 points, five rebounds and three steals to lead Lanett, while Courtney Rowe and Madison Smith each had 12 points for Sand Rock.
Sports Editor Mark Edwards: 256-235-3575. On Twitter @MarkSportsStar.
