WAPAKONETA, Ohio (WLIO) — It was an all-Midwest Athletic Conference battle in a Division VI district semifinal as Marion Local Flyers and New Bremen Cardinals met for the second time this season.

The Flyers entered at 21-1 after winning the regular-season meeting last month, while the Cardinals came in 15-8 looking for revenge.

In the first half, Lukas Lennartz set the tone for New Bremen. The junior drove through the defense for two of his team-high 15 points to keep the Cardinals in front.

Marion Local answered with its defense. Brayden Mescher came up with a key takeaway and converted on the other end. The senior finished with 12 points as the Flyers kept pace.

Coming out of the break, Marion Local trailed by two, but Grant Kremer delivered a clutch three-pointer to put the Flyers on top 21-20. The senior poured in 14 points in the win.

The game continued to swing back and forth down the stretch. In the fourth quarter, Aaron Wuebker powered through for an and-one opportunity, trimming the deficit to just one after the free throw.

In the final seconds, with Marion Local clinging to a 43-41 lead, New Bremen had one last chance to tie or win it — but the Cardinals were unable to get a shot off before time expired.

Marion Local survives and advances with a 43-41 victory and will face the winner of Ada and Allen East in the district final back in Wapakoneta.

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