LIGONIER – The Panthers proved their poise at the right time Friday night.

NorthWood hit key free throws in the final minute to hold off Fairfield 66-59 in the second semifinal game of the Class 3-A West Noble Sectional.

The defending champion Panthers, now 21-2, will face Wawasee (13-11) in the championship game Saturday night at 7:30. Wawasee topped Tippecanoe Valley 50-39 in the first semifinal contest Friday night. NorthWood beat Wawasee 64-51 in a Northern Lakes Conference matchup back on Jan. 9 in Nappanee.

The Panthers led by 15 points in the final period before the Falcons stormed back to cut the lead to 58-54 with less than a minute to play. Trey Bilinski then hit four free throws and Vinny Miranda and Braxton Linville two each for the Panthers.

NorthWood, which beat Fairfield for the third time this season, hit 25-36 from the line in the win. The Falcons were just 8-14 from the charity stripe.

Fairfield led 10-6 after the opening quarter before NorthWood took a 25-23 halftime lead. The Panthers then outscored the Falcons 18-8 in the pivotal third period of play to take a 43-31 advantage.

Dakiryon Fox had a huge game with 20 points and 17 rebounds to lead NorthWood to the win.

Linville tossed in 17 points and Bilinski had 10 for the Panthers.

Joe Line scored 15 points to lead Fairfield, which finishes its season at 16-10. Brock Goeglein and Josh Stephens each had 14 points for the Falcons.