LINCOLN, Neb. – The Pender Pendragons defense held the Southern Valley Eagles to a season-low 25 points, and got a 16-point performance from Maya Dolliver to win their second consecutive State Championship Title.

Southern Valley opened the scoring in the first quarter with a layup from Adeline Hunt, but Pender answered back with a steal and a fast break lay-in from Maya Dolliver.

Pender never trailed after their second bucket, and their defense forced 13 Southern Valley turnovers.

The Eagles got within 8 points in the 4th quarter, and out-rebounded the Pendragons 28-20, but Pender came out on top winning 39-25.

"I don't think we've ever only scored 14 in the first half, so that was a little bit of a surprise," said Pender Junior Maya Dolliver. "I think we weren't rattled too much, we were up, and we were still in the flow of everything."

"We always focus on controlling three things, which would be playing great defense, rebounding, and working together on both ends of the court," said Pender Head Coach Jason Dolliver. "At halftime, we had to sure up on the rebound side, but we were obviously playing great defense, and then we continued doing the other two things, and that's what helped us get there."

The Pendragons won the championship in Class C2 last year, and won it in Class D1 this year.

POINT LEADERS

Pender: Maya Dolliver 16, Hadley Walsh 9, Avery Wegner 9, Kyla Krusemark 3, Madalyn Dolliver 2

Southern Valley: Ann Bose 9, Adeline Hunt 9, Victoria Bose 6, Brecklyn Hammond 1

SCORE BY QUARTER

Pender: 7 - 7 - 10 - 15

Southern Valley: 5 - 1 - 11 - 8