“The girls came out and seemed like they were pretty focused,” Williams said. “But we made a couple of mistakes defensively and they went up on us.”

It was more of the same in the second quarter with the Lady Bears getting second, third and sometimes fourth chances off the offensive boards, while Akron couldn’t seem to find the rhythm on the offensive end – only managing two free throws and one field goal to go into the locker room at the half down 21-8.

Keith extended its lead to 18 points in the third quarter, before pouring it on in the fourth by capitalizing on fast-break baskets off Akron turnovers and hot shooting by Winchester.

“We took some good shots, and we had some good looks that we missed or (the margin) would have been more, but overall offensively I think we did pretty well tonight,” Williams said.

Also helping pace the Lady Bears was ZyKia Pettway with 10-points, Stephanie Carson and Dasheena Thomas both with 7-points; and Naadira Pettway with 5-points.

Dequanda Lyles led the Lady Rams with 8-points with Raven Fields and Kadijah Small each adding 5-points.

The Lady Bears will host St. Jude Thursday in a sub-regional game with the winner advancing to the Central Regional basketball tournament in Montgomery.