After a slow start the Pantherettes(38-2) found some rhythm in the second half and was able to put away yet another opponent as they claimed their spot in another UIL 6A State Championship game tomorrow night at 8:30 in the Alamo dome.

“We just have to get back into our hunger and desire to play some strong defense,” head coach Cathy Self- Morgan said.

The first period of play left the Pantherettes trying to find an answer to what Converse Judson(28-7) was doing with their zone defense. With the game tied 15-15 early in the second quarter, Duncanville scored seven points in a 50-second span, capped by a 3-pointer by Green, to take a 22-15 lead.

“We had to get our focus,” junior Zarielle Green said. “We just couldn’t get our shots to fall.”

The Pantherettes led by only one at halftime 25-24. Going into the locker room the team was looking for answers to such a close game. Self-Morgan said defense is where the answer is for the Pantherettes.

“That is our game,” Self-Morgan said. “We’ve got to bring our defense to win.”

Coming out of the locker room the Panterettes dominated Judson in the third putting up 15 quick points and allowing only 3 taking a 40-28 lead into the fourth quarter. That was enough to propel the Pantherettes to a 53-41 victory.

“We just have to win the boards,” Self-Morgan said. “We have to bring our defense.”

Zarielle Green finished with 21 points on the night while Lauryn Bowie added 12.

The Pantherettes will face Cypres Ranch tomorrow in the State Finals. This is a team the Pantherettes are very familiar with as they played them earlier in the season. The Pantherettes won that November meeting 62-47. The Pantherettes scored 21 points in the first half. Follow us on twitter , instagram and facebook for live updates. You can also watch the game on the internet Here or watch on Fox Sports.