MILFORD - The Pierce Lady Jays battled back from a 17-point deficit to tie it in the 4th quarter but ultimately fell to the 23-1 Milford Eagles in the C1-2 District Final 46-39.

The hometown team dominated early, thanks in large part to their 6'3" freshman Shayla Rautenberg, who finished the day with 21 points and 7 blocks. Milford took a 21-4 lead in the 2nd and was up by 15 at the break.

But Pierce whittled away in the 3rd and trailed only by 8 heading into the final period. Skylar Scholting led the way for the Lady Jays with 16 and Haley Scholting chipped in 10. Skylar's 3-pointer two minutes into the 4th knotted the contest at 32-32.

Then it was Milford down the stretch, with more big buckets and rebounds from Rautenberg, and 5 straight clutch free throws for Ayla Roth, who poured in 14 points. The Eagles head to state for the first time since 2008, while Pierce ends the season at 18-9.