Sophie DeWitt (14) makes a pass in the third quarter of a game at Shawnee Mission West on Feb. 8, 2019.

OVERLAND PARK – With 1.2 seconds left in the game, Hannah Stewart sent a ball from midcourt in a last-ditch effort to take a win on the road. She had made a 3-pointer 30 seconds earlier, but the Lions couldn’t defend on the last play of the game.

Lawrence High dropped a 44-43 decision at Shawnee Mission West Friday evening, surrendering a late lead in the final seconds of the game.

“The girls played their hearts out and fought to the very end against a very good and well coached Shawnee Mission West team,” LHS coach Jeff Dickson said. “We had our chances and they were able to make one more play than we did. I am very proud of our heart and spirit and we will be back at it tomorrow.”

Chisom Ajekwu led the game with 20 points for the Lions (9-6, 4-3 Sunflower League) in the loss. Sammy Williams didn’t miss a shot on three tries for 7 points. Stewart, Sophie DeWitt, and Ella Stewart each netted triples and Leslie Ostronic had key assists for the Lions.

The Lions finished up by a basket at the end of the first period, but allowed the Vikings (9-8, 5-4) back in the game as they entered the half tied at 20.

Ozi Ajekwu came off the bench to cause pressure in the paint with a pair of first-half blocks. She would only add 1 point from the charity stripe in the first quarter, but she put on pressure and was one of the Lions’ best defenders of the night.

After tying the game twice in the fourth quarter, Lawrence reclaimed the lead with a 3-pointer by Stewart with 33 seconds left on the clock, but West’s Kierra Prim would beat the buzzer to seal the 44-43 win for the Vikings.

Lawrence plays host to Free State at 5:30 p.m. Monday.

Lawrence (43)

Hannah Stewart 2-8 0-1 6; Leslie Ostronic 0-3 0-1 0; Sammy Williams 3-3 1-6 7; Sophie DeWitt 2-5 0-1 6; Chisom Ajekwu 8-18 4-7 20; Ella Stewart 1-2 0-0 3; Ozi Ajemwu 0-1 1-5 1. Totals 16-42 6-21 43.

Shawnee Mission West (44)

Jasmine Patterson 2-7 4-4 9; Ashlyn Henrie 2-5 0-0 6; Kierra Prim 3-8 1-2 7; Tadeyn Gray 5-10 1-1 11; Macie Lee 1-8 0-0 3; CC Carter 1-1 1-2 4; Aiden Moxness 2-3 0-1 4. Totals 16-42 7-10 44.

Lawrence 15 5 12 11 – 43

SM West 13 7 18 6 – 44

3-point goals: Lawrence 6-21 (H. Stewart 2, DeWitt 2, E. Stewart); SM West 5-16 (Henrie 2, Patterson, Lee). Turnovers: Lawrence 7, SM West 10. Fouled out: None.