SPRINGFIELD — Versailles couldn’t keep up a hot start in a Division III regional final on Saturday and saw its season end.

The Tigers led by three points at the end of the first quarter but lost 44-35 to Columbus Africentric at Springfield High School.

Versailles led 13-10 at the end of the first quarter, but Africentric used a 7-3 edge in the second to take a 17-16 halftime. The Nubians (21-4) outscored Versailles 15-8 in the third quarter and 12-11 in the fourth.

Allison Schwartz, a junior, led the Tigers with 14 points while junior Jenna Dirksen added nine points.

The Tigers, which won five games last season, finished 17-11 team this year. They will lose senior Lexi Magoto to graduation but are set to return the rest of the squad.

It was the first regional final appearance for Versailles since 2018.

Africentric will face Wheelersburg in a state semifinal on Friday.

Contact Greenville Daily Advocate sports editor Drew Terhall at [email protected].