SPRINGFIELD (WLIO) — Lima Senior held off Cincinnati Aiken 71-68 in a regional semifinal at Springfield High School to move one win away from the state tournament.

The Spartans jumped out to a fast start, building a 19-2 lead early behind Noah Simpson and Willie Foster. Aiken battled back in the second quarter to cut the deficit to 34-31 before Foster answered with a driving dunk.

Shawn Foster added 19 points for Lima Senior, including a buzzer-beating jumper just before halftime that gave the Spartans an 11-point lead at the break.

Aiken stayed close in the second half, but Lima Senior held on for the three-point win. The Spartans will face Winton Woods in the regional final Saturday at 1 p.m.

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