KYLE, Texas -- Hampered all game long by cold shooting, the state-ranked Pflugerville Panthers could not overcome a season-low 24 percent field goal shooting percentage and dropped its State 5A Regional quarterfinal game, 51-39, to San Antonio Wagner Wednesday night in a game played at Lehman HS.

The low-scoring contest between two of the State's top-10 ranked teams saw the Panthers up by one at halftime, 20-19, before the Thunderbirds went on a 10-0 run to start the third quarter and take the lead for good. Late in the third quarter, a steal and layup by junior forward Adesuwa Ebomwonyi (pictured) pulled the Panthers to within three, 31-28, with one minute to play. That was the closest the Panthers would get, as Wagner answered with a layup on their next possession and took a 33-28 lead into the final quarter.

In the final period, a jumper by sophomore Itiana Taylor closed the gap to six, 39-33 with 4:10 to go. With Wagner playing a slow-down spread offensive set each time down the floor, the Panthers were forced to foul to get the ball. The Thunderbirds made the most of the free throw opportunties, making 10 of 14 free throws down the stretch.

Pflugerville finishes another strong season with a 29-6 record, having won the District 25-5A title for the 21st district championship in program history, along with its 22nd Bi-District championship and 18th Area Championship. Pflugerville entered the game ranked No. 9 (by Texas Girls Coaches Association) and was 15th in the final regular season TABC/Tex Preps Basketball Magazine rankings.

Wagner (33-2) now moves into the regional semifinals to face Edinburg Friday (Feb. 26) at the UTSA Convocation Center. The Thunderbirds are ranked seventh (by TGCA) and eighth (by TABC/Tex Preps) in 5A.

Last year, Pflugerville knocked Wagner out of the state playoffs in this same regional quarterfinal (third round), 56-49 which vaulted PHS into the State Regional Championships.

Pflugerville was paced by Ebomwonyi who collected another double-double with 14 points and a game-high tying 16 rebounds. Senior forward Christie Mooney closed out her Panther career with 10 points and six rebounds. Junior post Nneka Enemkpali (five points) also pulled down 16 rebounds.

Although Pflugeville dominated on the boards with Ebomwonyi and Enemkpali (56-36), it was poor shooting which hindered the Panthers. Pflugerville went 12-for-50 from the floor (24 percent) and committed 18 turnovers. Wagner committed 12 turnovers and had 10 steals to P'ville's six. From the foul line, Pflugerville was 14 for 23, while San Antonio Wager went 18 for 28.

The Thunderbirds were paced by senior point guard Len'Nique Brown, a Southern California signee, with 22 points.