AUSTIN -- The Normangee Lady Panthers were eliminated from the U.I.L. Girls' State Basketball Tournament Friday morning following a 62-53 overtime loss to Sudan at the Frank Erwin Center.

Normangee fell behind by 9 points in the first half, but outscored the Nets 13-4 in the 2nd quarter to tie the game at 23. Brittney Smith hitting a 3 pointer with 11 seconds left in the period to even things at the break.

Smith would knock down 2 triples on the day, but it was Jessica Green's bomb from behind the 3 point arc with 27 seconds to play in regulation that sent the game to overtime.

Green tossed in 14 points, while Hilaree Hodges added 15, and Coco Woodard led Normangee with 16 points along with 14 rebounds.

In overtime Brittany Williams, who led all scorers with 19 points, pulled down her 10th rebound and converted as Sudan built a 4 point lead and pulled away to win it 62-53.

Normangee (23-6) hit 43% from the field, while Sudan (34-5) shot 35% for the game. The difference was at the free throw line. Normangee was whistled for 19 personal fouls which the Nets converted into 18 points.

Sudan was whistled for 5 total fouls, which resulted in just 1 point from the charity stripe for the Panthers.

The other thing that plagued the Lady Panthers today was turnovers. Normangee had 17 which lead to 17 points. Sudan had 13 turnovers that resulted in just 10 points for the first time state tournament attendees.

After the game there was no sour grapes outside the Lady Panther locker room, only gratitude for hard work and a chance to look back at a very special season.

"To make it to regionals that was special, something Normangee girls have never done before and I'm proud to be a part of it. As for the State Tournament that's just awesome!" said senior guard Coco Woodard.

"Yes we wanted to walk out of here a winner on the scoreboard" said Normangee Girls' Head Coach Kim Lynn. "But we're still walking out of here a winner. I'm so proud of the girls!"

While 2009 marks Normangee's first trip ever to state, this was Sudan's 10th. The Nets will try to win their 5th state championship Saturday morning at 8:30 when they take on Roscoe (31-5). Ironically this year marks the 50th anniversary of Sudan's first trip to state which was back in 1959.