James Madison was outscored 16-4 in the fourth quarter, as NYSPHSAA champs Mendon erased a double digit lead in the second half to defeat the Lady Golden Knights 49-43 in the semifinals of the New York State Federation Tournament in Glens Falls on Friday.
Madison held a comfortable 31-19 halftime advantage, but shot just 5-21 from the floor in the second half, 2-8 from beyond the arc. Mendon pulled within three at 39-36 before Melinda Feratovic's and-one bucket put the Lady Golden Knights in front 41-36 with 7:31 left. Mendon took the lead at 42-41 on Alana Fursman's sweeping left hook with 3:55 remaining, but Madison took it back on the next trip at 43-42 on Ericka James' driving score.
Lexi Green's jumper with 1:20 to play gave Mendon the lead back for good at 44-43, as the Vikings closed the game on a 7-0 run, advancing to the championship game on Saturday. Mendon will face Staten Island Academy, which topped Cardinal Spellman 70-60 in the other Class A semifinal.
Fursman scored a game-high 21 points to lead Mendon and Feratovic finished with 14 for Madison.
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