Wren Hurricanes come back to beat Lancaster Bruins

The No. 6 Wren High School girls’ basketball team hosted a familiar foe in the third round of the Class AAA playoff Monday in No. 2 Lancaster, an opponent they opened the season with a lost to by 18 points.

History would not repeat itself Monday, as the Hurricanes mounted a fourth-quarter comeback to unseat the defending state champions 59-54.

Tailing 45-41 with 5:08 to go, Wren began to slowly claw back, and tied the game 46-46 with 3:11 to go. Twenty-one seconds later, All-State selection Nakol Franks gave Wren the lead, hitting a deep three-pointer to put Wren up 49-46 with 2:40 to go, prompting a Lancaster (19-4) timeout.

The teams then traded two point shots on alternating possessions, and Wren led 51-48 with 1:23 to go.

Then, with Lancaster working the ball around the three-point line, the Lady Bruins attempted a pass in the paint that was ripped away by September Collins with 1:14 to go. Collins would hit both of her foul shots to put the ‘Canes up 53-48, and a missed three by Lancaster on the ensuing possession that was corralled by Franks all but sealed the Lady Bruins’ fate.

Lancaster was led by All-State selection Malia Rivers, who had 17 points and four assists. Keyotta Garris added 15 points, four boards, two assists, two steals and a block.

Wren (22-4) advances to the AAA Upperstate championship to face No. 1 Dreher (25-1) Friday at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville. The Lady Blue Devils topped Eastside 62-33.

This story was originally published February 22, 2016 at 10:52 PM with the headline "Wren Hurricanes come back to beat Lancaster Bruins."