The Vikings came away with the win, 51-40 after 32 minutes of gritty basketball from both teams. The Rockets still made history, as the first Richard Montgomery girls basketball team to make it to the state finals since 1996.

After contact, a foul called on Ruggeri was upgraded to a flagrant after a Whitman player appealed to the referees. She made one of two foul shots.

Diao hit a three-pointer to make the Rockets deficit ten points, with 1:45 left in the game.

Whitman took a timeout with five minutes remaining, as the Rockets look to cut down on their lead.

Returning with a taped ankle, Diao forced a turnover by tipping a Viking layup. She returned the ball down the court to hit a three-pointer as the buzzer to end the third quarter sounded.

Diao and Ruggeri collided at half court while playing defense, resulting in Diao heading off the court during a timeout with an apparent injury.

Sophomore Gowri Chandrashekar hit a three-pointer from the corner under pressure, making it a one point game.

After several fouls from both teams, junior Ava Ruggeri took it down the court and powered her way to the basket, maintaining the close score.

With five minutes left in the second half, Diao hit a three pointer to cut the Rockets’ deficit to five points. They have held the Vikings scoreless so far in the second quarter.

After losing the tip-off, RM has yet to gain momentum, with Whitman heavily guarding point guard Katie Diao.