HILLSBORO, OR – Eliza Sorenson’s last second 8-foot bank shot gave Sutherlin a 40-38 win over Mazama Friday night in the 4A OSAA/U.S. Bank/Les Schwab Tire state basketball tournament in Hillsboro and sent the Bulldogs back to the finals for a chance at their 3rd straight state title.

Sorenson came off the bench to score seven points and they were all huge. Her first field goal came in the thirrd quarter that tied the game at 23.  She hit a 3-pointer in the fourth quarter that tied the score at 38, and then hit the game-winner at the horn.

Mazama controlled the ball for almost the entire last minute of the fourth quarter with the score tied at 38.  But with 5-seconds to go, the Vikings senior guard  Amber Lease drove into the paint and tried to get a shot off. She was tied up for a jump ball and the ball went to the Bulldogs on the  alternating possession. After a timeout, Kayce Mock dribbled into front court and whipped a pass to Sorenson to the right of the basket and she banked it in as time ran out and the Bulldogs bench and their fans exploded.

Mock, who was named the Moda Player of the Game,  led all scorers with 15, including two 3-pointers, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 blocked shots, and a steal. Taylor Stricklin dropped in 14 with a 3-pointer, 1 block and 2 steals. Mercedes Paschal led the Vikings with 13.

The Bulldogs fell behind 10-2 after a quarter, but fought back to within three at the half, and took the lead at the end of the third quarter 28-27. It was back and forth the rest of the way.

The Bulldogs improve to 26-1 and move into the championship game against the top ranked Cascade Cougars at 6:30 p.m. Friday evening. You can hear the Bulldogs and the Cougars in the championship game on i101fm with the pregame at 6:15 p.m. as they go for their third straight state title at Liberty High School in Hillsboro.

Mazama falls to 21-6 and will play for third place against La Grande at 1:30 p.m.