WABASH – A strong finish and the free throw line lifted host Wabash past Warsaw 44-41 Wednesday night in non-conference girls basketball action.

The Apaches outscored the Tigers 20-12 in the final quarter to erase a five-point deficit.

Wabash also hit 23-28 from the free throw line in the win. Warsaw finished just 11-16 from the charity stripe in the close contest.

Warsaw led 8-4 after the opening period and 17-15 at halftime. Both teams struggled shooting in the opening half as Warsaw was 5-19 from the field and Wabash went 1-17 from the field, making just a 3-pointer. The hosts hit 12-15 free throws in the first half to stay close.

The Tigers were up 29-24 after the third period after outscoring Wabash 12-9 in the quarter.

Vicki Harris led the way for Warsaw with 13 points.

Dayton Groninger had seven points and Pam Miller and Erin Clemens each scored six for the Tigers. Madi Graham finished with four points, Jodie Carlson three and Page Desenberg two for coach Michelle Harter’s squad.

Clemens led Warsaw with 10 rebounds and Groninger grabbed six.

Sarah Puckett scored a game-high 17 points to pace Wabash. Claire Cromer had 14 points for the winners.

Warsaw shot 14-42 overall from the field in the game, including 2-14 on 3-point tries. The Tigers had a 35-26 rebounding edge and had 14 turnovers.

Wabash finished the game 8-35 overall from the field, including 5-14 from distance. The Apaches had just eight turnovers.

Warsaw won the junior varsity game by a 38-32 final.

Warsaw, now 4-4 on the season, will host Plymouth Saturday night in their Northern Lakes Conference opener. Wabash, now 6-2, plays at Rochester Saturday.