GALLIPOLIS, Ohio — The Lady Defenders have won the OCSAA Southeastern Regional Championship and they advance to the final four. The Ohio Valley Christian girls basketball team defeated Coshocton Christian 49-44 Friday evening at the First Baptist Church Activities Building.

The Lady Defenders held the Lady Cats to five points in the first period. OVCS scored 13 points and held the eight point lead after one period.

The Coshocton offense picked up in the second canto as it scored 15 points. The Lady Defenders scored 10 points in the second and saw their lead cut to three, 23-20 at halftime.

Both offenses struggled to get anything going after halftime as the two teams combined for 15 points in the third period. CCS edged OVCS by one in the quarter and trailed by two headed into the finale.

The OVCS offense had its best quarter in the fourth scoring 19 points, while Coshocton Christian scored 16. The Lady Defenders earned the 49-44 victory and the regional championship.

Ohio Valley Christian was led by Madison Crank with a game-high 25 points,and a team-high eight rebounds. Emily Carman notched eight points, Beth Martin had seven, Samantha Westfall and Bekah Sargent had four points each, while Sarah Schoonover rounded out the OVCS scoring with one point.

CCS was paced by Danielle Miller with 22 points.

The Lady Defenders travel to the campus of Ohio Christian University in Circleville Ohio Friday against the winner of Mentor Christian and First Baptist Elyria. Tip off is scheduled for 5 p.m. This Marks the second consecutive year the Lady Defenders have reached the final four.