South Fayette wanted to make the most of its final shot against a North Catholic team which beat it out for the Section 3-AA title and defeated it in the WPIAL Class AA semifinals.

South Fayette held the WPIAL champion Trojans to their lowest point total of the season Saturday afternoon at Chartiers Valley High School and defeated North Catholic, 59-35, in a PIAA quarterfinal.

The Lions (22-5) advance to the PIAA semifinals for the first time and will meet Mercyhurst Prep, which defeated Rochester, Wednesday at a site and time to be determined.

The inability to make shots in the fourth meeting between the two teams is what cost North Catholic (25-3). South Fayette used an airtight man-to-man defense to stifle the Trojans into a dismal 27 percent (12 for 44) shooting performance.

The Lions have not allowed more than 43 points in any of their past eight games.

"It's been the story for us," South Fayette coach Rich Bonnaure said. "We told them if you hold this team in the 30s, you're going to win the game."

A typically balanced South Fayette offense paid dividends again with four players scoring in double figures. Mike Lamberti lead the way with 14 points and Josh Patterson scored 13. Mike Burroughs and Tyler Henry chipped in with 10 points apiece.

The Lions held a 25-17 halftime lead after limiting the Trojans to five field goals in the first half. South Fayette extended the margin to 36-20 late in the third quarter, but North Catholic went on an 8-0 run to pull within eight points. The Lions, though, responded with a 15-2 surge to put the game away.

"I think that was huge," Bonnaure said. "Our kids stayed positive. I just felt they were going to do what they needed to do."

Martin Long led the Trojans, who went to the PIAA final last year, with 11 points. His cousin, Jesse Long, added 10 but was ejected midway through the fourth quarter after receiving a double technical foul.

• Mercyhurst Prep 59, Rochester 50: The Rams (25-4) fell to District 10 champion Mercyhurst Prep (25-3) at Edinboro. Rochester scored the first nine points but the Lakers stormed back to take a 25-19 halftime lead. Josh Chojnacki, a 6-foot-9 center, led the Lakers with 23 points. E.J. Blackwell scored 16 points for Rochester. The Lakers made 16 of 26 free throws, while Rochester was 2 for 2.

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