MEDINA — The fourth quarter wasn’t kind to the Hudson girls basketball team, and it led to a 40-29 loss to Olmsted Falls in a Division III, Region 6 final March 6.
The Explorers (19-6) missed all 11 of their shots and were held to just two points after taking a 28-27 lead into the final quarter. Olmsted Falls (21-4) moved on to play Hoban (20-4) on March 13 at a site and time to be determined.
Elora Beh scored eight points and Ashli Pearson and Abby Henderson each added seven to lead Hudson.
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The Bulldogs, who made17 of 22 free throws, were led by Emma Schaeffer (18 points, six rebounds) and Grace Largent (nine points, 10 rebounds).
Olmsted Falls returns to the state semifinal for the fourth season in a row.
Follow along here for in-game updates, highlights and analysis:
Olmsted Falls breaks things open to start the fourth
The Bulldogs have opened up an 13-point run. Hudson is still scoreless in the fourth quarters. It’s 38-28 Bulldogs with 3:04 left.
Hudson trailing Olmsted Falls midway through the fourth
The Explorers are 0-for-6 to start the fourth quarter and have committed five fouls. It’s 33-28 Bulldogs with 4:25 left and they’re in the bonus the rest of the way.
Olmsted Falls inches ahead over Hudson
Ashli Pearson picks up her fourth foul. It’s 31-28 Olmsted Falls with 5:47 left.
Hudson up one heading the fourth with Olmsted Falls
It’s 28-27 Explorers. Emma Schaefer has 14 for the Bulldogs. Elora Beh has eight . Abby Henderson and Ashli Pearson have. Grace Largent has three fouls for Olmsted Falls. Pearson has three for Hudson.
Hudson up with under two minutes left in the third quarter
It’s 26-23 Hudson with 1:24 left. Abby Henderson has five of her seven in the third quarter.
Hudson takes lead midway through the third quarter
Abby Henderson for the Explorers hits a three with 4:42 left and it’s 24-21 Hudson in the third quarter.
Halftime statistics from Olmsted Falls-Hudson
Olmsted Falls up one at the break over Hudson
Emma Schaefer leads the way for the Bulldogs with eight and Olmsted Falls is up 18-17 at the break. Grace Largent has six. Hudson is lead by Elora Beh (six point) and Ashli Pearson (five).
Olmsted Falls takes lead late in second quarter over Hudson
Grace Largent (seven points) hit a 3-pointer with 3:11 left to push Olmsted Falls up 16-15. Emma Schaefer has six points for the Bulldogs. Olivia Beh (six points) leads Hudson.
Hudson up midway through the second against Olmsted Falls
It’s 15-13 Explorers with 3:40 left in the second quarter behind six points from Elora Beh and five points from Ashli Pearson. Jesse Simon scored Olmsted Falls’ first basket with 6:54 left in the second quarter.
Hudson leads Olmsted Falls after one quarter
The Explorers have an 11-7 lead after one and held Olmsted Falls to 0-for-10 in the first quarter from the field. Ashli Pearson has five points for Hudson. Emma Schaefer has six free throws for the Bulldogs.
Hudson races out to early lead over Olmsted Falls
Olmsted Falls opens 0-for-6. It’s 9-2 with 3:33 left in the first quarter. Ashli Pearson has five. Emma Schaefer has two free throws for the Bulldogs
Hudson out early over Olmsted Falls
Ashli Pearson with a quick five and it’s 5-2 Hudson with 4:50 left in the first quarter.
Olmsted Falls projected starting lineup
Hudson projected starting lineup
History of Hudson, Olmsted Falls girls basketball
The Bulldogs have won a regional title three years in a row and three times in program history. They lost 56-40 last year in a Division II state semifinal after they were state champions in 2023-24 and runners-up in 2022-23. Hudson has advanced to the state tournament only one time in program history, finishing state runner-up in 2002-03 to Beavercreek in Division I. Last season, the Explorers reached the regional final but lost to Whitehouse Anthony Wayne.
Who to watch for Hoban, Olmsted Falls
The Explorers are an incredibly balanced team behind Ashli Pearson (11.7 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 2.6 steals), Abby Henderson (8.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 3.1 steals) and Anna Anzevino (6.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 2.8 steals).
The Bulldogs roll with first-team All-Northeast Lake stars Jesse Simon (15.4 points) and Emma Shaefer (11.5 points). They can also go to Grace Largent and Avery DeLisio.
How Olmsted Falls girls basketball reached the regional final
How Hudson girls basketball reached the regional semifinal
Brad Bournival can be reached by email at bbournival@usatodayco.com and is on X at @bbournival.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Ohio high school basketball scores, Hudson vs. Olmsted Falls recap
Reporting by Brad Bournival, Akron Beacon Journal / Akron Beacon Journal
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