Kenton Ridge had the look it wanted as Baylee Bennett drove the lane for what would be a game-tying layup.

Yet the fates were unkind as Bennett’s shot just rolled off the rim harmlessly, allowing Chaminade Julienne to escape with a 54-52 Division II girls district title at Mason High School.

Kenton Ridge finished the season 21-5 with a fourth-straight loss in the district finals.

“We had the ball with 30 seconds left with a chance to win,” Kenton Ridge coach Ed Foulk said. “It was our game to win but I can’t complain. Nobody thought we would be back in the district finals and here we are.”

Kenton Ridge had stormed back from a 38-29 third quarter deficit to snag a 46-44 lead with 5:30 left but CJ refused to yield as the teams traded buckets down the stretch. The lead was the first for the Lady Cougars since late in the first quarter when they led 17-16.

Trailing 52-49 late, the Lady Cougars tied the game after Bennett had completed a conventional three-point play with 59 seconds left. Additionally, Bennett had been fouled by Krista White, the fifth foul for the CJ senior who led all scorers with 17 points.

On the ensuing possession, CJ turned the ball over and Kenton Ridge worked the clock down to 15 seconds before acting. Stephanie Davis drove the lane and missed and a follow-up attempt by Paige McCrary was no good.

CJ senior Brittaney Jefferson took the ball over and slowed down as if to call timeout before exploding for the game-winner with eight ticks left.

Kenton Ridge was off balance early, committing 16 first-half turnovers to fall behind 18-17 after one and 34-29 at the half.

The Lady Cougars finished the game with 23 turnovers while the Eagles had 12.

“That was the key to the game,” Foulk said.

CJ won its eighth game in a row to improve to 17-9. Ja’Cole Tabor scored 12 points and pulled down seven rebounds for the Eagles before fouling out late. Jefferson finished with 12 points and five steals, White added eight rebounds and Erinn Bailey chipped in eight caroms.

McCrary had nine points for Kenton Ridge, putting her over the 1,000-point mark for her career. Sydney Bates had a team-high 14 points.

With the game tied at 40 late in the third quarter, White drove the lane and missed, but a follow-up basket was allowed at the buzzer. Foulk argued the call and received a technical. The Eagles missed both shots but, according to Foulk, the damage was done.

“That was a huge bad call,” Foulk said. “I still don’t think it was a basket, and it took away our momentum.”