ATHENS — The Miami Trace Panthers faced the Fairfield Union Falcons Saturday afternoon at the Convocation Center at Ohio University for a Division II District championship and a trip to the Sweet 16.

The Panthers were trying to win the program’s first District title since 1998.

The Panthers led by five points with less than four minutes to play in the fourth quarter. The Falcons hit a couple of late buckets to pull out the win, 42-40.

Miami Trace had a last-second shot to win by junior Darby Tyree, but the ball rimmed out.

The Panthers had just missed a shot. The ball bounced or was tapped back out past the three-point line. Tyree chased the ball down and had to pick up the ball, turn and shoot, all in one motion. He clearly got the shot away before the buzzer sounded.

It was a heart-breaker of a game and a very tough way for the season to end for Miami Trace.

Senior DeAndre Pettiford led the Panthers with 13 points.

Senior Blake Pittser scored 12 and junior Cameron Carter had eight points.

Tyree scored three points, senior Tyrae Pettiford scored two and senior Seth Leach had two.

Colin Woodside was the game’s leading scorer for Fairfield Union with 15 points.

Hayden Price had 10 points for the Falcons.

Fairfield Union improves to 23-2 and will play Columbus Eastmoor Academy in the Regional semifinals back at the Convo Thursday at 8 p.m.

Miami Trace ends an SCOL championship season with a record of 21-4.

They say thank you and farewell to nine seniors: DeAndre Pettiford, Skyler McDonald, Tyrae Pettiford, Mitchell Creamer, Seth Leach, Blake Pittser, Keondric Bryant, Tiante Connell and Jacob Batson.

There will be more on this game Tuesday in the Record-Herald.