Time simply ran out on the Lady Panthers. 
Down 24 points midway in the 3rd quarter, Batesburg-Leesville closed out the final 12 minutes with a 29-5 scoring run. It got within a single point with less than 12 seconds left and had an opportunity for a final shot as time expired in the 40-38 loss Friday.
Kalisha Hill led Saluda with 23 points, including scoring the team's final 5 points from the free throw line. Her 3-point play in the third quarter game the Lady Tigers their biggest lead at 35-11
Taleah Tolen helped ignite the comeback, scoring all 18 of her points over the final 2 quarters. Batesburg-Leesville scored the final 8 points of the third quarter to cut the deficit to 36-21.
The comeback continued into the fourth quarter as the Lady Panthers outscored Saluda 17-4. A 3-pointer by Tolen brought them within 39-38, but Hill connected on 1-2 free throws with 1.3 seconds left and a final attempt for a game-tying shot fell short.
The loss snapped Batesburg-Leesville's 4-game winning streak and moved Saluda into first place in Region 2-2A.

(GIRLS)
Lexington 86, Chapin 33
Olivia Thompson scored 24 points, Brooke Faulks added 19 and Claire Tarlton and Alexis Sexton both finished with 12 points for the 8th ranked Lady Wildcats (14-4, 2-1).
Emma Fabry had 15 points and Mackenzie Lott added 10 for the Lady Eagles.
Both teams will play in the 2019 MLK Classic at Eau Claire High School Saturday. Chapin will open at 11 a.m. against Orangeburg-Wilkinson, followed by Lexington against Lower Richland at 12:30 p.m. and Swansea versus Dreher at 2 p.m. 

Irmo 54, Dutch Fork 43
Zayd Taylor scored 17 points, Jayla Lovett added 12 and Ehrial Wagstaff finished with 10 as the Lady Yellow Jackets upended their in-town rival.
Maliyah Mason added 9 points and 8 rebounds for Irmo. 

White Knoll 51, River Bluff 37
Jalissa Squirewell scored a game-high 23 points and Jasmine Jenkins added 18 for the Lady Timberwolves.
Dori Heldreth led the Lady Gators (0-16, 0-3) with 12 points. It was the team's 28th consecutive loss dating back to last season.

Airport 37, South Aiken 29
Caliegh Corbitt scored 12 points and Amerah Herring added 10 for the Lady Eagles (13-6, 3-1).
Up next is a road trip to archrival Brookland-Cayce, who will be debuting its new gymnasium.