WAYNE CITY — The Goreville Lady Blackcats were oh so close to earning a trip to Redbird Arena and the Girls 1A State Basketball Semifinals, but the Neoga Indians caught fire late and rallied to win the Wayne City Supersectional 50-48.

Goreville led 26-16 at half and extended that lead to as many as 14 in the second half.

After scoring 26 points through the first three quarters, Neoga exploded for 24 fourth quarter points, with Sydney Richards scoring 11 of her game high 21 in the final frame. Then trailing by two, Sydney Hakman found Trista Moore who buried the go ahead three-pointer with 17 seconds play.

After Goreville turned it over, Neoga hit 1-2 from the free throw line to extend the lead to 50-48. The Lady Blackcats had one more chance to tie it or potentially win it, but turned it over a second a time in the final seconds.

Abby Compton led Goreville with 14 points. Jasilyn Westerfield added 12 for the Lady Blackcats, who finish 23-11.

Neoga will now face top-ranked Brimfield in the first semifinal Thursday morning at 10:00 in Normal. Brimfield held off Okawville 45-42 to win the Brown County Supersectional.