It was a disappointing conclusion for the state’s top-ranked team that had its sights set on the school’s first-ever sectional title and a possible trip to the state tournament.

“We were up and had the momentum, but then we didn’t execute very well,” St. Anthony coach Aaron Rios noted. “They (St. Teresa) are a good defensive team and their pressure down the stretch caused us problems. But we also had some good shots that didn’t go in. We just didn’t finish.”

The two squads battled to a 21-21 tie in the opening half. It was still 25-25 midway through the third quarter when a short jumper by Addi Nuxholl started an 8-0 run for the SAHS Lady Bulldogs. Ady Rios then converted a pair of St. Teresa turnovers into layups, followed by another basket, staking St. Anthony to a 33-25 advantage at the 2:19 mark.

The St. Teresa Lady Bulldogs got baskets from Sole Corley and Zakyrie Mayes, plus two free throws by Lucy Corley to close the gap to 33-31 heading into the final eight minutes.

Addie Lauritzen and Ruholl hit shots and Lilly Gannaway added a free throw to open the fourth period for St. Anthony and expand the lead to 38-31 with 5:48 left. After a pair of foul shots by Ruholl at the 4:06 mark, the SAHS lead was still five points, 40-35.

But in the final minutes, the Lady Bulldogs missed four shots and turned the ball over four times. Each of those four turnovers resulted in sending Lucy Corley to the free throw line. And the senior guard responded, making 6-of-8 and putting St. Teresa back on top, 41-40 with 1:21 still remaining.

St. Anthony had two good looks from three-point range, but neither shot connected. Lucy Corley then added four more foul shots in the final 32 seconds to secure the sectional title for the team from Decatur.

“We had good opportunities to score on our last three possessions,” Coach Rios said. “One of threes went in-and-out. It was so close to going in.”

The first half was just as close. Back-to-back-to-back scores by Lauritzen, Ruholl and Nuxoll gave St. Anthony an 11-8 lead, but Lucy Corley and Jalie Eller responded to put St. Teresa up 12-11 at the end of the first period.

The Decatur expanded its advantage to five points, 18-13, at the 4:42 mark of the second quarter, and made it 21-15 with a little over a minute left.

Rios then scored twice for St. Anthony and Ruholl grabbed an offensive rebound and scored right before the buzzer, sending the teams to the locker room knotted at 21-21.

Ruholl and Rios led the SAHS scoring attack, finishing with 15 and 12 points respectively. As a team, the Lady Bulldogs shot 35 percent overall, connecting on 16-of-46 attempts. They were 0-for-7 from behind the ark and 8-for-12 at the free throw line.

St. Anthony finished with a 28-5 record, the most wins ever by a Lady Bulldogs squad, and reached the sectional for the fourth straight year.

“It’s a joy and a blessing to be part of these kids and this program,” Rios said. “I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished as a program. These girls did something special this year and I couldn’t be prouder of them.”

St. Teresa, now 21-7 for the season, will take its 11-game winning streak to the Farmer City Super Sectional. They will face Cissna Park at 6 p.m. Monday.