FORNEY — Makenna Allen scored the go-ahead basket with seconds remaining to help give Lindale a 47-46 win against Waxahachie in a Class 4A girls basketball bi-district playoff game Tuesday night at Forney High School.
Allen’s winning goal answered a 3-pointer by Waxahachie’s Dawn King with 27 seconds to go, plus advanced the Lady Eagles (25-5) to an area matchup with Sherman.
Sherman, the runner-up in District 13-4A, advanced with a 63-44 win over Sulphur Springs on Monday.
It also completed a game in which Lindale built a double-figures lead in the opening half, only to watch the Lady Indians scrap their way back into the game.
“It was a great win,” Lady Eagles coach Brandon Walters said.
“We came out early and took advantage of them, but they worked their way back into the game. ... Fortunately the girls didn’t fold.”
Allen finished with 13 points and three rebounds to lead Lindale, which entered the playoffs ranked No. 18 in the state by the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches. Teammate Zhanelle Geathers also finished in double figures scoring, finishing the night with 10 points and four boards.
King scored a game-high 18 points for the Lady Indians (14-13), who struggled from the floor throughout the game but somehow managed to stay competitive and nearly pull off an upset victory.
Jamayia Perez also provided a standout performance with 14 points and 14 boards.
Lindale looked to take control in the opening half, during which the Lady Eagles built a 15-4 lead with about five minutes left in the second quarter.
But Waxahachie went on a 12-1 run to pull even at 16-16 with 2:00 left en route to entering the break ahead 21-20.
Lindale regained control at 26-21 less than two minutes into the third quarter, but the Eagles were never able to pull away.
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Class 4A Bi-District Playoff
At Forney High School
Lindale 47, Waxahachie 46
Waxahachie 6 15 8 17 — 46
Lindale 11 9 11 16 — 47
WAXAHACHIE — Dawn King, 18; Jamayia Perez, 14; Paris Townsend, 8; Tambranecia Henry, 2; Tochi Nlemchi, 2; Kaderricka Cash, 2.
LINDALE — Makenna Allen, 13; Natasha Malone, 8; Paige Murphy, 4; Neeley Doss, 5; Zhanelle Geathers, 10; Hannah Malone, 4; Symonne Brookins, 3.
THREE-POINT GOALS — W: King. L: Doss.
RECORDS — Waxahachie 14-13; Lindale 25-5.
NEXT UP — Lindale vs. Sherman, area round.