Photos: Eastview Girls Basketball Falls to Lakeville North

The Eastview girls basketball team came close to knocking off the defending state champions, but the Lightning fell short in a 46-42 loss to Lakeville North in the Section 3AAAA championship.

Eastview trailed by four at halftime at St. Olaf College in Northfield and was unable to close the gap in the second half. As a result, Lakeville North will compete in the Class AAAA state tournament beginning Wednesday at Target Center in Minneapolis.

The Panthers (27-2) have not lost since falling to Eden Prairie on Dec. 10—a span of 24 games. It is their second consecutive section title, and at state Lakeville North will attempt to win back-to-back Class AAAA titles.

On Friday, Rachel Banham led the Panthers with 17 points, while Apiew Ojulu, Taylor Stewart and Hannah Hughes each had eight points.

For Eastview (22-7), which had won 12 of its past 15 games heading into Friday, Alex Beckman finished with a game-high 30 points.