The Falcons ran out of time in the end despite a furious finish to the third-place game of the 3A bi-district tournament at Rogers High School in Puyallup.
Prairie (14-9) led 20-8 after the first quarter, and Bethel rallied in the second quarter by making five 3-pointers and had a 31-30 lead at halftime.
The second half remained tight. Prairie had a 39-38 lead after three quarters, and then it came down to the last ticks of the fourth quarter..
Following a Prairie turnover with 10 seconds to play, the Falcons had to foul. Bethel made two free throws for a 51-47 lead.
Claire Heitschmidt, who led the Falcons with 19 points, made a 3-pointer with 2 seconds remaining, but that would be as close as Prairie would get.
Meri Dunford added 14 points and Allie Corral had 12 for Prairie, which now awaits the draw for the state regional round.
BETHEL 51, PRAIRIE 50
PRAIRIE (14-9) — Dayna Vera 5, Meri Dunford 14, Allison Corral 12, Claire Heitschmidt 19, Hannah Clouse 0, Kylie Diaz 0. Totals 18 (10) 4-7 50.
BETHEL (22-1) — Rhiannon Davies 2, Esmeralda Morales 23, Samantha Hill 0, Tiarra Brown 22, Faith Taula 4. Totals 17 (6) 7-17 51.
Prairie 20 10 9 11–50
Bethel 8 23 7 13–51
