Newark, making its first appearance in the girls basketball state finals, outlasted Moweaqua Central A&M 49-48 in overtime Friday to reach the Class 1A title game.
Laura Johnson hit a three-point shot – her only one of the game – with one minute 38 seconds left in the extra period to give the Norsemen a 47-44 lead at Illinois State’s Redbird Arena.
The Raiders cut that lead to 47-46 on layup by A&M’s Shelby Jackson, but Johnson countered with a short jumper to give Newark a three-point lead with 45 seconds left.
Johnson, a 5-foot 7-inch junior, had a game-high 22 points along with six rebounds, three assists and three steals for Newark (26-7). Teammate Sam Akre, a 6-foot junior, added 12 points, 11 rebounds and five blocks.
Jackson’s 16 points and Andrea Oesch’s 13 led the Radiers (29-3).