MASSILLON -- It didn't matter to Hiland's girls basketball team that it never had the lead during regulation of its Div. IV regional semifinal game against Lutheran East -- the Hawks would settle for a tie Thursday.

With five seconds remaining in the fourth quarter, senior guard Noelle Yoder sent up a deep 3-pointer from the left wing, giving the Hawks new life in overtime.

The play -- which had Hilary Weaver take the ball up court, pass to Jessica Stutzman who hit Yoder behind the arch -- has been dubbed "home run" by coach Dave Schlabach and Co.

And was it ever.

Hiland went on to win the game 57-52 and will take on Cuyahoga Heights at 7:30 p.m. Saturday for a regional title.

"It didn't surprise me when it went in," said Schlabach, who called the play on his team's final timeout in regulation." But we still had to hit the shot."

Yoder, who will play at Bowling Green next year, finished the game with 21 points, helped by five 3-pointers.

"Noelle wants to be in those situations," said Schlabach, whose second-ranked AP team improves to 24-1. "This summer, she hit three game-winners."

The shift in momentum could be felt in overtime, where the Hawks outscored the Falcons 13-8. Lutheran East went 3-for-7 in the extra period.

"To be honest, I felt (the kids) were let down" Lutheran East coach Melvin Burke Sr. said of Yoder's shot. "We went for a steal when we shouldn't have, and we could have won the game. But usually, we can come back from that. This time we couldn't.

"We weren't disciplined enough to hit free throws and layups," added Burke, whose team was 5-of-12 from the charity stripe. "We didn't carry that part out."

Even though Hiland came out on top, Lutheran East controlled the pace and scoreboard for all but 5 seconds in the fourth quarter.

"I was impressed with Lutheran East," said Schlabach, whose team defeated the Falcons 63-43 in last year's regional final. "Stuff we got on them last year, we didn't get tonight. Last year, we got them into foul trouble early, this time we couldn't.

"At the beginning of the season, we told our kids that if they're going to Columbus, they have to go through Lutheran East," Schlabach said. "Their size is incredible. And it's not just their height. They're athletic kids."

Speed and a tough zone defense helped force 15 Hiland turnovers --nine in the first half alone. That, mixed with their size -- the Falcons outrebounded the Hawks 36-28 -- had the locals playing catchup the entire game.

The Falcons went up 13-12 after one quarter and expanded their lead to 23-19 at the half. Even with a 17-15 run in the third quarter, the Hawks entered the fourth period down 37-36.

In the fourth quarter, Hiland was down 43-36 with 4:48 remaining, forcing Schlabach to take a timeout. From there, Yoder went out and hit one of her huge 3-pointers, making it a more manageable two-possession game.

After a few missed opportunities down the stretch -- and key missed Lutheran East free throws -- it all came down to one play.

"The way the game was going, something special had to happen at the end of the game for us to win," Schlabach said.

Hiland was led by senior Hilary Weaver, who turned in a complete-game effort with 22 points, seven rebounds, five assists and a steal.

"The last thing I heard before I left the huddle was Hilary say, 'Guys we're winning the game,'" Schlabach said. "She refuses to think she can get beat."

Weaver also surpassed Launa Hochstetler as the Hiland career assist leader, with 589 helpers to date.

"I told Hilary that I wasn't ready to watch her play her last game," Schlabach said. "I love that kid."

The Hawks were also aided by solid performances from Stutzman (seven points) and Hannah Stoneman (five points).

Ninth-ranked Lutheran East, who ends the season 20-5, was led by Amber Bogard (16 points) and Xavier recruit Latisha Walker (10).