NEWPORT NEWS - After leading by as many as 10 in the first half, The Apprentice School women's basketball team needed to come from behind to oust fourth-seeded South Carolina Central in a 48-44 thriller in the New South Athletic Conference semifinals Saturday afternoon.

After the Gladiators hit the first two shots of the game to go up 6-0, the Builders stormed back, going on a 21-5 run to push the lead to 10 early in the second quarter. S4C responded though, scoring the next 14 points and holding Apprentice scoreless for the final 6:47 of the first half to take a four-point lead to intermission.

The Gladiator defense didn't stop there as they kept AS off the scoreboard for the first 2:34 of the second half as well, but Apprentice kept fighting and clawing back to eventually tie the game at 33-33 with seconds left in the third quarter and take their first lead of the second half early in the fourth, holding on to that lead throughout the entire period to clinch a spot in the conference championship.

Dajanelle Linton-Robinson and Cornasia Lamberson each had double-doubles in the win. Linton-Robinson had 14 points and 12 rebounds, while Lamberson matched that point total, pulling down 15 boards. Joy Wright added 10.

The Builders will take on sixth-seeded Millenia Atlantic tomorrow in the championship game in Newport News. Tipoff is set for 12 noon.