BRIFLY: PORTAGIVELLE SUFFERS LOSS

COLUMBIA -- Kareem Rush scored 26 points and grabbed 17 rebounds to lead Pembroke Hill to a 58-51 win over Portageville in the 2A boys semifinal Friday.

Shaun Dunson added 14 for the Raiders (29-1), who have won the state championship the last two years.

Pembroke Hill led 20-11 at the half, but Portageville (25-6) kept the game close throughout the second half with a balanced scoring attack. Quinton Sykes led the Bulldogs with 12 points. Torry Saxton and William Durden scored 11 for Portageville.

After Portageville cut the lead to five to start the third quarter, Pembroke Hill went on an 11-0 run to regain a double digit lead. The Raiders held on to win despite a flurry by Portageville late in the fourth quarter.