Lions are 'Elite:' Fairfield defeats Shekinah Christian to advance to regional finals

COLUMBUS — The Fairfield Lions continued their postseason run Thursday, March 12, as the Southeast District 2 No. 3 seeded Lions defeated the Central 1 District No. 1 seeded Shekinah Christian Flames, 54-41 in the Division VII regional semifinals at Ohio Dominican University.

The Lions led SCS 11-9 after the first quarter, with all 11 Fairfield points coming from junior Brody Smith, including three 3-pointers. In the second, Fairfield outscored Shekinah Christian, 18-8 for a halftime lead of 29-17.

The second half saw the Flames (25-2) outscore the Lions, 15-12 in the third, with Fairfield still leading by nine at 41-32 at the end of the frame. The Lions ended the game outscoring SCS, 13-9 in the fourth quarter to advance to the “Elite Eight.”

Fairfield (19-6) was led by Smith with 23 points, followed by Griffin Friend with 14 points. Also scoring for the Lions were Caleb Rice with eight points, Quentin McIntosh with five points, and Zach Ahsaruk with four.

The Lions will face Malvern, the No. 4 seeded East District champions, in the regional finals Saturday, March 14 at 5 p.m. at Ohio Dominican University. Malvern (19-8) defeated the No. 1 seeded Southeast District 1 champion Racine Southern, 58-56 in overtime Thursday evening.

Saturday will mark Fairfield's first regional final appearance since 1978 and second in program history.

Check back to highlandcountypress.com for complete game article and photos.

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