PEKIN — Pekin freshman Tess Cascia was wide open for a game-winning layup with 3.4 seconds left Saturday to lift the host Dragons to a 50-49 girls basketball victory over East Moline.
Pekin (10-15) used a 17-4 push that began late in the third quarter to take a 48-41 lead late in the fourth. Molly Flanigan and Maddy Cash hit a pair of 3-pointers, and Cash added a free throw to give Pekin the lead.
East Moline (13-12) answered with an eight-point run to take a 49-48 lead on a free throw by Jasmine Bell. A 43-25 rebounding advantage wasn't enough for the Panthers.
Izabella Sims scored a game-high 17 points for the Panthers. Ryleigh O'Brien scored 14 points and had nine rebounds.
Lauren Juergens scored a team-high 14 points for Pekin and grabbed seven rebounds. Cascia finished with 13 points.
Aaron Ferguson can be reached at 686-3207 or aferguson@pjstar.com. Follow him on Twitter @Sports_Aaron.