MONTGOMERY — It was not a pretty win in the head coach’s eyes, but the No. 5 Pike Liberal Arts Lady Patriots clinched a spot in the AISA Class 3A playoffs Thursday with a 33-23 victory over Macon-East in the first round of the 3A, Region 1 tournament at Huntingdon College.

“It was a good win to get us in the playoffs,” PLAS head coach Steven Kilcrease said. “But we need to play a lot better if we want to advance any further. We played undisciplined on defense and that got us into foul trouble today. We need to play smart and if we can do that I feel good about our chances.”

The Lady Patriots (15-8) built a lead in the first quarter and led 10-0 before a buzzer beater went through for Macon to cut the lead to 10-2. Pike allowed only three points in the second quarter and held a 16-5 advantage heading into halftime.

The Lady Knights hung with Pike in the third quarter and the score heading into the fourth quarter was 25-13 in favor of the Lady Pats.

Late in the fourth quarter Macon’s chances were looking up with two Lady Patriots fouled out, but there was not enough time and the Lady Patriots escaped with a win.

Macon outscored Pike in the final quarter 10-8.

Josie Griffin led Pike Liberal with eight points. Anna Saunders and Katie Wiggins chipped in six points, Eady Pinckard had five points and Rebecca Farrar and Kelly Cash added four points apiece.

The Lady Patriots face Fort Dale tonight at 6 p.m. in Montgomery.

Click here for a photo gallery of Thursday’s action