SNYDER — After scoring the first nine points of the game, the 12th-ranked Hermleigh Lady Cardinals led Irion County for 28½ of the 32 minutes in their Region II-2A semifinal Friday at The Coliseum. But a late scoring drought for the Lady Cardinals opened a window, and the Lady Hornets flew through for a dramatic 36-33 win.

Hermleigh, which led 15-5 after a quarter and still held an eight-point lead (30-22) as late as the 4:15 mark of the third period, was outscored 14-3 over the final 12 minutes, resulting in a heartbreaking loss for coach Tommy Cross’ squad.

The Lady Cardinals’ only points of the fourth quarter came on a layup by senior Juli Munoz that gave HHS a 33-30 lead with about 6:45 to play in the game. But Irion County scored the final six points, escaping with the come-from-behind victory when Syreah Callaway’s game-tying 3-point attempt rimmed out just before the final buzzer.