The Laurens Academy Lady Crusaders gave up 12 unanswered points at the end of the third quarter and beginning of the fourth quarter in a 35-26 loss to the Wardlaw Academy Lady Patriots in the SCISA Region II-A championship game at Newberry College on Tuesday night.

The Lady Crusaders jumped out to an 8-6 first quarter lead behind the sharp shooting of Laura Langston with two three-pointers. The Lady Patriots returned the favor in the second quarter to a take a 15-14 lead at halftime, despite six points in the quarter from Katie Rockefeller.

At the beginning of the third quarter, neither team could manage much of a scoring threat. Laurens Academy got a basket by Callie Holmes and Langston to take a 18-15 lead with 4:54 to play in the quarter. A field goal by Wardlaw’s Kathryn Ginn with 1:10 to play in the third quarter started 12 unanswered points for the Lady Patriots.

The next time Laurens Academy would score would be on a Langston three-pointer with 4:28 to play in the game. By this time, the Lady Patriots had built a 27-21 lead. Peyton Baynham added to that lead with back-to-back baskets with 3:46 to play to put Wardlaw on top 31-21.

Rockefeller scored to narrow the margin to 31-23 with 3:15 to play. Region Player of the Year Gina Easler fired the final dagger for the Lady Patriots with a three-pointer with 2:08 to play to put Wardlaw on top 34-23 and putting the game out of reach.

Laurens Academy was led by Rockefeller with 12 points, 13 rebounds and seven steals. Langston added 12 points, followed by Holmes with two points.

The Lady Crusaders were recognized after the game for finishing second in the regular season in Region II-A and runner-up in the region tournament. All-Region selections were Lauren Broome and Rockefeller. All-Tournament selections were Holmes and Langston.

Laurens Academy will now advance to the SCISA A state playoffs. Brackets will be set later today.

Click here to see photos from the game