COLUMBUS, OH -- Hiland looked to be in serious trouble when it trailed by seven points with under three minutes to play in the Division IV girls' state semifinal basketball game Saturday.

But the Hawks went on an 8-0 blitz to pull out the win and a trip to today's state title tilt.

It wasn't easy, but here's how it happened.

• Maria Dahlinghaus nailed a triple to put Minster up 48-41 with 2:48 left to play, but Hiland's Katelyn Stuckey hit a layup off a pass from Hilary Weaver to make it 48-43 with 2:41 to play.
  


• Hiland's McKenzie Miller made a steal and went in for a layup. She missed, but Noelle Yoder followed with a tip-in and suddenly the Hawks were down just 48-45 at 1:55.
  


• A steal by Weaver resulted in a pair of free throws by Jessica Stutzman with 1:50 left and the Hawks had trimmed their deficit to 48-47.
  


• After the teams exchanged turnovers, Minster's Erica Fullenkamp went to the line in the double bonus. She missed both freebies with 33 seconds left.
  


• The Hawks got the ball and moved in for the game-winning shot as Weaver delivered a pass to Yoder, who in turn passed it inside to Stuckey. Despite being triple-teamed, Stuckey put the ball in off the glass to give Hiland a 48-47 lead with 18 ticks left.
  


• After a Minster timeout, the Wildcats had a chance to win the game. Against pressure, the Wildcats got the ball into Tara Clune's hands on the baseline, but her jumper came up short as time expired.

"They had three people on Delanie and she went to Tara," said Minster coach Nann Stecheschulte. "I think it kind of surprised Tara. She didn't have her feet set and she rushed it."

NO LETTING DOWN -- Hiland coach Dave Schlabach warned his team about a a letdown following the win over Minster.

Hiland did not play on all cylinders in the regional championship game after an emotional win over Cleveland Lutheran East in the semis.

"We had a major letdown in the regional finals emotionally," admitted Schlabach. "The potential for us is to do that again, but we've got good strong character kids and we'll be ready.

"We've got a lot of information on both teams and we'll meet tonight with the team to go over some things," said Schlabach. "The kids have relentlessly pursued the chance to get back to this game."

REBOUNDING -- Hiland outrebounded the bigger Minster squad 31-29 as Stuckey led the way with seven caroms . Delanie Wolf paced Minster with 10.

"We like to think we're a tough team," said Schlabach. "We wondered how that rebound number would turn oit and it's nice to see we won."