The breakdown: Stewarts Creek girls hold off Oakland, reach 7-AAA finals

Stewarts Creek jumped out to a big lead and weathered a furious Oakland comeback attempt, as the eighth-ranked Lady Red Hawks defeated the Lady Patriots 60-46 Saturday in the District 7-AAA semifinals at Blackman High School.

The win puts the Lady Red Hawks in the finals Monday night against Riverdale at 7:30.

Stewarts Creek had a 15-point lead in the first half but Oakland chipped away at it and cut it to two with six minutes left. But the Lady Patriots, playing their third game in four days, couldn’t get any closer and Stewarts Creek pulled back away in the final minutes.

Here is a breakdown of the game:

Stewarts Creek girls 60, Oakland 46

Records: Stewarts Creek 23-4, Oakland 3-26

The skinny: Stewarts Creek had a 26-11 second-quarter lead. Oakland cut the gap down to 44-42 with 6:09 remaining by full-court pressing, forcing turnovers, converting fast break opportunities and knocking down 3-pointers.

The Lady Red Hawks put the game away in the closing minutes by increasing the intensity of their defense, contesting shots and forcing turnovers, squelching an Oakland comeback effort in the fourth quarter. Stewarts Creek also converted 14-of-16 from the free throw line in the fourth quarter.

Turning point: When Oakland had cut the gap to 44-42, Stewarts Creek’s Lauren Flowers scored five straight points for the Lady Red Hawks, a layup and a 3-pointer. That gave Stewarts Creek back a seven-point advantage that the Lady Red Hawks didn’t relinquish. Stewarts Creek also converted 14-of-16 free throws in the final quarter.

Leading scorers: Stewarts Creek: Brianah Ferby 15, Lauren Flowers 13. Oakland: Maddie Cook 12.

Quotable: "I was proud of how we battled back. There were not enough baskets.” – Oakland coach Jennifer Grandstaff

“We lost focus a little bit. (Lauren) did a great job tonight. She got a big offensive rebound and put us back up by four and that gave us back our confidence.” – Stewarts Creek coach Lindy King