RAPID CITY - Julia Hale's free throw and a resilient defensive stand in the final 36 seconds proved to be just enough to give the Sturgis Scoopers a 54-53 girls basketball win over Rapid City Stevens on Thursday night.

The game, at Stevens' Carold Heier Gymnasium, closed out the regular season and Greater Dakota Conference schedule for both teams. The win gave the Scoopers a sweep over the Raiders as well as the second seed in the District 4AA playoffs.

After Hale's second free-throw gave the Scoopers a one-point edge, the Raiders missed three shots in as many possessions after Sturgis lost a pair of defensive boards out of bounds.

The Raiders couldn't capitalize on the extra opportunities. Brooke Warne had struck for four 3s but couldn't get a fifth to fall from the corner.

Amy Sykora's short jumper and open-look 3-point try at the buzzer also failed to fall.

Stevens gained a 53-51 lead with 1:50 left in the game on two Lindsey Schmidt free throws.

Schmidt had missed the first shot of the bonus, but a Sturgis lane violation gave her another chance and she netted both. Sturgis's Carsey Barden re-tied the game from the stripe 11 seconds later.

The two West River rivals played close most of the way. Six points from Alyssa Gouldin helped Sturgis to a 24-16 lead in the second period, but Stevens bounced back to take a one-point lead just before the half.

"We gave in to being tired and let them have shots," said Sturgis coach Mike Friedel of the Raider comeback.

Hale's 16 points led the Scoopers 12-8, 5-7 GDC. Carsey Barden added 10. Rebekah Larson grabbed nine rebounds for the Scoopers.

"We boarded well at the end and made some free throws. This was a good win for us," Friedel said.

Stevens, 2-19, 1-11 GDC, was led by Brooke Warne's 17 points. Brooke Garner added 10 points and seven rebounds.

"They did what I asked them to defensively and I was proud of them for that," Raiders coach Michele Klapprodt said.

"Brooke Warne stepped up and played a great offensive game. We had the shots at the end of the game. They just didn't fall for us. They will." Klapprodt said.

Sturgis will take on third-seed Spearfish at 7 p.m. Monday in Sturgis, with Stevens hosting Douglas in a 4AA "play-in" game at 7 p.m. Saturday at Carold Heier.

"A new season starts for us and we couldn't be more ready for the playoffs," Klapprodt said.