No. 4 Trinity survived a first half that's probably replayed in the worst nightmares of statisticians everywhere, and turned it around with a last-minute rally to earn a 38-36 win over No. 5 Pocahontas County, earning a date with No. 1 St. Joseph in the semifinals. That game will tip at 7:15 tonight.

It was quite an exciting end to what had been a defensive slugfest.

Pocahontas led almost the entire way, including by four with less than two minutes left. But a couple of ill-timed turnovers followed by breakaway layups proved to be fatal mistakes in a 6-0 Trinity run.

For the record, Megan Myers had the tying basket and Meagan Triplett hit what would become the game winner.

Still, Pocahontas had one last chance, but couldn't get two jump shots or a layup to fall as time ran out. That opportunity was set up by a five-second call against Trinity.

Those late layups for Trinity were as easy as any bucket came in the entire game, and any easy offense for either team was welcomed.

Trinity also came up with some huge offensive rebounds down the stretch, if for no other reason than it was able to keep possession. Much of that was due to Pocahontas' Miranda McNabb fouling out with 3:19 left.

Early, it looked like Trinity was a little more at ease under the bright lights than its opponent. Pocahontas turned the ball over quickly on its first three possessions and came up empty from point-blank range several times in the opening moments.

But it wasn't just from close that Pocahontas was off target - it couldn't find the net from just about anywhere, going 3-for-19 from the floor in the first half, including 0-for-7 from 3-point range and 6-of-13 from the free throw line.

Trinity's 6-for-23 first-half performance wasn't much better and the teams combined for 29 turnovers.

Whatever was in the coaches' halftime speeches seemed to ignite both squads as each scored seven points to open the third quarter and Pocahontas ended with 16 in the frame, four more than it had in the whole first half. It was almost enough to stand.

Both teams ended the game under 30 percent from the floor, with Trinity checking in at 28.6 percent (12-of-42) and Pocahontas ending at 29.5 percent (13-of-44).

Trinity (24-1) has lost just one game all season, a home decision to Tucker County. Pocahontas ends its season at 20-5.  

Senior McNabb ended her career on a rough night with 12 points. Bland scored nine points and grabbed 11 rebounds.  Jackie Halapy scored 12 points and pulled down 14 rebounds for Trinity.

Reach Ryan Pritt at 304-348-7948, ryan.pr...@wvgazette.com, or follow him at twitter.com/rpritt.