BOULDER, Colo.—Carli Moreland had 16 points and 10 rebounds to help the Legacy Lightning beat the Monarch Coyotes 51-47 in the Class 5A state semifinals Wednesday night.
Trailing 42-38 with 5:08 to play, Moreland sank a pair of free throws that started an 8-2 run. During the spurt, she scored 7 points and the Lightning led 46-44 with 3:15 left. It was the first time Legacy led since holding a 5-3 advantage early in the game, and it was a lead the Broomfield school would not relinquish.
Top-seeded Legacy (26-1) erased a 10-point deficit (36-26), tying the game at 36-36 on a steal with 6:39 to play.
Kailey Edwards scored 10 points for Legacy, which will play in its first 5A title game since losing to Highlands Ranch in 2007. Alex Evans led Monarch (22-5) with 12 points. The No. 1-seeded Coyotes, from Louisville, led 28-19 at halftime.
Legacy won the season series between the two Front Range League Schools 2-1. The Lightning will play Denver East for the 5A crown Friday night.
