Southwest DeKalb senior Daisa Alexander hits a layup for two of game-high points in the Lady Panthers 65-50 win over No. 7 Columbus. (Photo by Mark Brock)

Senior Daisa Alexander found her range in the second half scoring 24 of her 30 points to help the No. 1 ranked Southwest DeKalb Lady Panthers to a 65-50 win over No. 8 ranked Columbus at Columbus State on Friday afternoon.

Southwest DeKalb forced 17 first half turnovers but only held a 29-25 lead at the break.

Alexander got things going in the third quarter with an offensive put back that got her on track. She followed with back-to-back three-pointers and added a third in the period as the lead grew to 45-33 heading into the fourth quarter.

She then scored six straight  points to open the fourth quarter and would add six more as the Lady Panthers (25-6) rolled into the 6:30 pm Class 5A Final Four on Saturday against No. 7 Sequoyah (25-6), a 53-48 winner over Loganville tonight.

Columbus jumped out to an 8-0 lead in the first quarter before Southwest DeKalb was able to take advantage of their 10 forced turnovers to get back into the game.

Chantz Cherry scored consecutive baskets off of steals, one by Daisa Alexander, and Alexander made it 10-6 at the end of the first quarter.

Michaela Benefield tied the game at 12-12 with 6:25 left in the first half. The Lady Panthers put together a 7-0 run to take control in the second quarter. The run was started by a three-point play by Ruona Uwusiaba and included layups by Cori Bostic and Chantz Cherry to take a 23-19 lead.

Cherry added 10 points for the Lady Panthers.

Columbus finished 23-6 on the season and was led by Tatyana White with 24 points.