Gilmour Academy Lady Lancers defeat Division III defending Champs, Advance to First State Final

Columbus, Ohio- On Friday, the Gilmour Academy Lady Lancers met the Nubians of Columbus Africentric Early College where the winner of this semi-final game would face the winner of Sardinia Eastern or Versailles for a chance to become Division III State Champions. The Lady Lancers came into this game with a regular season record of 21-5 and recently defeated the Garrettsville Garfield G-Men with a score of 76-46.

Columbus Africentric Early College came in posting a record of 24-3 during the regular season. The Nubians defeated the Archbold Blue Streaks 60-31 to clinch their spot in the final four to face Gilmour Academy. The Gilmour Academy Lady Lancers and Columbus Africentric Early College Nubians both played a hard first quarter that went back and forth between both teams respectively. At the end of the first quarter, the Lady Lancers lead the Nubians 14-13.

The Gilmour Academy Lady Lancers and Columbus Africentric Early College Nubians both played a hard first quarter that went back and forth between both teams respectively. At the end of the first quarter, the Lady Lancers lead the Nubians 14-13. Emily Kelley lead the way for the Lady Lancers by contributing 9 points in the first. 

 Africentric Early College had Alexia Smith as their high scorer on the Nubians with 5 points. At the end of the first half, the Lancers were trailing the Nubians by a score of 29-27.

Jordan Horston and Smith had 8 points respectively. Kelley added 6 more points for the Lancers which gave her 15 at the half. Naz Hillmon lead the Lancers in rebounding with 11 boards.

At the end of the third quarter, Gilmour Academy trailed Columbus Africentric Early College by one point with a score of 43-42. Hillmon added 7 more points for the Lady Lancers which gave her a double-double with 11 points and 14 rebounds.

In the final quarter of play, the Lady Lancers outscored the Nubians 23-11 and hit three big 3 pointers to swing momentum in their favor. The Lady Lancers came away with the victory by defeating the Columbus Africentric Early College Nubians 65-54 and advanced to the Division III State Championship game.

Emily Kelley lead the Lady Lancers with 24 points and hit 6 3-pointers, Emma Gurley added 17 points, Naz Hillmon scored 16, Annika Corcoran with 5 points, and Sarah Bohn had 3.

We're going to the 'ship! @GALancerGirlsBB defeats the defending state champs Africentric 65-54! pic.twitter.com/dQMdTc0PmZ

— Gilmour Athletics (@GALancerAD) March 17, 2017

The Gilmour Academy Lady Lancers will go on to play against the Versailles Tigers on Saturday at 5:15 pm for the Division III State Championship.