They say beating a team three times is always tough. That statement rang true on Thursday night when Highland gave Winfield-Mt. Union all they could handle in a first round class 1A regional game, but the Wolves hung on for a 42-41 victory.

The Wolves won by a combined 33 points in the two regular season meetings and early on it looked like a similar script, as they led 9-3 after one. The Huskie offense started to settle in to trail 22-16 at the break and inched closer to 32-30 heading to the fourth. It was a one-possession game for the entire quarter and the Huskies finally broke through for a 41-40 lead with two minutes to go after a pair of free throws by Haley Sweeting. WMU’s Bradie Buffington returned the favor in the final minute by sinking two from the line and one final stop at the other end allowed the Wolves to survive on their home court. The matchup featured the top two rebounding teams in the SEISC-North division and the Wolves had a 36-26 advantage in that department including 19 offensive boards. Jami Wilkerson led the winning squad with 12 points including three shots from behind the arc and Buffington hauled in 10 rebounds. Sweeting paced the Huskies with 11 points and Alyssa Brase added nine.

Highland closes the year 6-17 and say goodbye to Sweeting, Brase, Kaylee Rath, and Rafaella Selmer. WMU improves to 12-10 and they face off with Burlington Notre Dame in the regional quarterfinal on Tuesday.