It didn’t come as easy as most expected, but the St. Anthony Lady Bulldogs captured their third straight regional title Thursday night with a 50-43 victory over Windsor/Stew-Stras in the championship game of the Class 1A St. Anthony Regional.

After beating the Lady Hatchets 72-48 and 62-23 earlier in the season, there were expectations of another blowout. But Windsor/Stew-Stras had other ideas.

Stacie Vonderheide scored seven points and Addi Nuxoll added five, as the Lady Bulldogs jumped out to an 18-11 lead at the end of the first period. Nancy Ruholl hit a three-pointer and scored seven points in the second period, helping SAHS take a double-digit lead, 29-18, into the locker room at intermission.

It was a 12-point margin, 39-27, heading into the final eight minutes. The Lady Hatchets knocked down a pair of threes in the fourth quarter, but the Lady Bulldogs made 9-of-14 free throws to maintain the lead and secure another plaque for the school’s trophy case.

Ella Kinkelaar and Kendra Hayes both scored 12 points for WSS, who ended their season with a 20-14 record.

St. Anthony had three players in double figures. Ruholl led the way with 20 points, while Vonderheide scored 15 and Nuxoll added 12. Both Ruholl and Nuxoll turned in double-double performances, pulling down 11 and 12 rebounds respectively.

The Lady Bulldogs improved to 24-8 on the season. They will now advance to the Moweaqua (Central A&M) Sectional. They will play either Arcola or Salt Fork at 6 p.m. Tuesday.