SOUTHPORT — Brownstown Central’s boys basketball season looked dead in the water on Saturday night.

Down 21 points against top-ranked Linton-Stockton in the second half, it looked as if the Miners would cruise to a state finals appearance.

But the Braves had other plans.

Brownstown ended the third quarter on a 6-0 run to cut the deficit to 15 heading into the fourth quarter. Jack Benter started to get hot from the perimeter, and the Miner lead was down to just 10 with 4:30 to play.

After a few chances to get it within single digits, Linton-Stockton’s Logan Webb then went down and converted a three-point play to put the Miners back up 13. That seemed like the dagger, but the Braves again didn’t quit.

Benter got fouled on a 3-point attempt and made all three free throws, then Parker Hehman drilled a 3-pointer, BC forced a turnover and Chace Coomer hit another three to make it 56-48 with 2:45 to play.

The Braves’ late-game pressure had its effect on the Miners. Another turnover led to another Coomer three and then another takeaway, leading to Benter drilling a 3-pointer and making it a two-point game with 1:01 to play. The Brownstown faithful inside Southport High School was on its feet in full volume.

The Miners didn’t elect to play stall ball for the final minute with a 58-56 lead. They got aggressive, and Joey Hart was able to drive and convert another three-point play to go up 61-56 with 54 seconds left.

After a furious rally, that proved to be the shot that Brownstown couldn’t recover from as the Miners held on 64-56 to win the semistate championship.

“We had cut it to two points and had momentum,” head coach Dave Benter said. “But (Hart) made a big play there. If they don’t get that timeout (prior to Hart’s three-point play), I think the outcome is different.”

The Braves forced nine Miner turnovers in the fourth quarter alone.

Even Linton-Stockton interim head coach Noah Hawkins, who hasn’t seen the Miners lose since Dec. 10, knew Brownstown would be a tough matchup.

“We have rolled since January, but we knew this game wouldn’t be like that. Brownstown is too good,” he said.

Brownstown got off to a slow start in the game as Linton-Stockton’s 1-3-1 defense forced the Braves into some turnovers.

Hawkins said everyone knows it’s coming, but it’s always tough for the opposition to deal with due to the size and length of his team.

“They are big, long and physical and bait you into making mistakes,” Benter said. “We did well early but lost our way in the second quarter. We were trying to score too fast.”

Jack Benter drilled seven 3-pointers in the contest and did a bulk of his scoring in the final eight minutes.

Jack led the team with 32 points, and Coomer added 11 points. Hehman and Colby Hall each had six points, and Micah Sheffer added one point.

Webb scored 28 for Linton-Stockton, and Hart added 23 points.

Prior to Saturday night’s heavyweight fight, each team had to secure a win in the semifinals on Saturday morning.

The Braves were up first, and they defeated Indianapolis Scecina 56-42.

Coomer and Hehman got Brownstown off to a good start against the Crusaders by knocking down open 3-point looks.

“They came out chasing Jack and really helping out on him, and they were doubling Colby inside, so that really opened things up,” Benter said. “Chace and Parker both stepped up and made big plays. I really liked our ball movement in the first half.”

In the third quarter, Scecina came out with a lot of energy. They created a number of turnovers and got some easy baskets in transition. The Crusaders cut the Braves’ lead down to three, but Benter was able to call timeout and rally the troops.

“We came out really lackadaisical,” Benter said. “After that timeout early third quarter and on, I thought we played really well. They had to get out of their defense. Jack was able to get some more open looks.”

Jack Benter was able to get things going for himself in the second half, as well, as Brownstown pulled away for the double-digit victory.

Benter finished with 18 points in that game, Coomer had 15, Hehman 13, Hall seven and Carson Darlage three.

Linton-Stockton defeated Parke Heritage 87-59 to set up Saturday’s final.

Before the game, Benter previewed the matchup saying, “On paper, Linton-Stockton has been on the top of 2A all year. Every 2A team wants to play them. We have a lot of respect for them and think they’re a really good basketball team. Tonight should be a lot of fun.”

It was indeed a lot of fun, and the Braves’ furious rally fell just short, meaning the Miners (29-1) will be in the Class 2A state championship game this Saturday against Fort Wayne Blackhawk at 12:45 p.m.

Brownstown’s season comes to an end at 24-5, which featured a Mid-Southern Conference title, a sectional championship and the first regional championship since the 2008-09 season.

The three seniors on the Braves’ roster are Darlage, Jakob Arthur and Bryce Neal.

“Our seniors are blue-collar guys who do all the little things that help your team,” Benter said on their senior day. “Carson and Bryce keep everyone loose. Jakob, on the other hand, brings intensity. Those guys came to practice every day and did everything we asked.”