Marquita Daniels scored 22 points and hit a big 3-pointer during a frantic finish to help Southwest Atlanta Christian hold off defending champion St. Francis, 66-61, in a Class A Private semifinal, Monday at Kennesaw State.
The Warriors advance to the championship game and will face Holy Innocents’ winner Saturday in Macon.
SACA built a 13-point halftime lead, but, with only seven players, wore down in the second half.
St. Francis’ Abby Grant hit a 3-pointer with 3:26 to play to give the Knights their first lead of the game. But Daniels answered with a 3-pointer on the following possession, and SACA hit seven of eight free throws in the final 1:23 to hang on.
“My girls were giving me heart-attack,” said SACA coach Jackie Cowan, “but they think it’s fun.”
Candice Williams led St. Francis with 17 points, and Taja Cummings added 15 for the Knights, who finish the season at 24-3.
Freshman Tiamya Butler had 18 for SACA, including two clinching free throws in the game’s final seconds. Amy Griffin finished with 17 for the Warriors, who last won a state title in 2006.
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