HAMILTON – The Lakeland Christian Academy girls basketball team saw its season end Friday night with a loss to Fort Wayne Blackhawk Christian in sectional semifinal play.

The Cougars could not overcome a slow start in dropping a 49-35 final in action of the Class 1-A Hamilton Sectional.

Blackhawk led 18-9 after the opening period of play before the Cougars rallied within 28-26 at halftime. LCA trailed just 30-24 after three quarters before being outscored 9-1 in the final period.

Blackhawk, now 14-10, advances to play Bethany Christian (13-10) at 6 p.m. Saturday in the sectional championship contest. Bethany topped Lakewood Park Christian 31-14 in the other semifinal game Friday night. Blackhawk defeated Bethany 53-45 back on Jan. 9.

Senior Rachel Sand led LCA with 12 points in the semifinal matchup.

Senior Hannah Delp scored nine points and junior Melissa Goss had eight for the Cougars. Sophomore Brady Gross had four points and six rebounds, while senior Carissa Urschalitz had two points and 11 rebounds and freshman Anna Reimink had four rebounds.

LCA had lost to Blackhawk by a 56-35 final in the regular-season finale on Jan. 28.

The Cougars turned in a much-improved season as they finished 12-12 under first-year coach Allison Kauffman, a former player at Grace College. LCA was 7-17 last season.

LCA will lose five seniors in Sand, Delp, Urschalitz, Gabby Catron and Brighty Walters.