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There's a concept in sports that it's never good to let a team hang around, because it often turns out badly. Madison Edgewood learned that lesson on Thursday, as Hayward hung around, and took its only lead of the game with 6 seconds remaining to hold on for a 50-49 victory.

Edgewood led 30-18 late in the first half, but a mini-run by Hayward made the score 30-24 at the break. Foreshadowing the end of the game, Hayward's Madelyn Neff made four free throws in the final 30 seconds of the half.

Hayward leading scorer Katie Stark played limited action in the first half, picking up three fouls. However, Edgewood was not able to deliver the knockout blow.

After a three-point play by Edgewood's Estella Moschkau with 10:02 left in the game, Neff knocked down a three-pointer to pull i back within 42-40, and neither team would lead by more than one possession the rest of the way.

Edgewood led 49-48 as the clock wound under a minute left, and had a chance to push the lead higher, but Moschkau couldn't convert on a layup, giving Hayward a chance. The Hurricanes worked the clock before Neff drove to the basket and was fouled with 6 seconds remaining. She knocked down both shots and Edgewood was only able to get off a 40-foot heave as time expired, which missed the basket badly to give Hayward the win.

Neff finished with a game-high 23 points, including an 11-12 showing from the free throw line. Stark was limited to just 9 points in 30 minutes. Estella Moschkau led three Edgewood players in double figures, scoring 20, as Katie Meriggioli and Caitlin Link added 12 apiece.

In a game that saw neither team scorch the nets, Milwaukee School of Languages' pressure in all facets was too much, allowing the Hawks to score a 48-34 victory over Xavier in a Division 3 state semi-final.

Languages finished just 31.8% from the field in the game (and 16 of 28 from the free throw stripe), while Xavier was 30.6%, but Languages forced Xavier into 20 turnovers and thus attempted eight more field goals and 12 more free throws. 

Xavier actually led 17-15 at halftime, but made just 5 of 19 field goal attempts, while Languages was able to execute better by making 8 of 19 shots, while going 14 of 23 from the free throw line.

Zheniah Jackson poured in a game-high 26 points, while Kayla Gesl led Xavier with 16.

Milwaukee School of Languages will face off against Hayward in the Division 3 state title game on Saturday at 2:30 pm.

Attendance for the Division 3 afternoon session was 3,943.