COLUMBUS, OH -- Hiland could not complete its unfinished business.

Canal Winchester Harvest Prep made sure of that.

No 3-ranked Harvest Prep hit four free throws in the final 36.9 seconds to knock off No. 2 Hiland 45-41 in the Division IV girls' basketball state championship game at Value City Arena before 4,529 on Saturday night.

The win gave the Warriors their first state title in their first appearance and kept the Hawks from avenging last season's loss in the championship game.

Harvest Prep ended the season at 27-1, while Hiland finished with a 25-3 ledger.

It was Hiland's 11th appearance at the state tournament and the Hawks were vying for their fifth title this decade.

The driving force behind Hiland's season stemmed from last season's disappointing defeat to Columbus Africentric in last year's title game.

But 27-percent shooting from the field and 17 turnovers kept the Hawks from reaching their ultimate goal.

Hiland coach Dave Schlabach said not completing their mission hurts.

"It's a tough day for our seniors," said Schlabach with Hilary Weaver and Jessica Stutzman flanking him at the post-game press conference. "This group for six to eight years have sacrificed a great deal. They are truly some of the greatest leaders that we've had in our program in the 19 years I've been here. When you give so much, it's a very painful ending when you don't accomplish you goal."

Harvest Prep coach David Dennis Sr. said winning the state title against a high-caliber program like Hiland was the icing on the cake.

"Hiland is still one of the best programs in the state and to beat a team like Hiland shows how far we have come," said Dennis. "These girls dug deep and found a way to win and I'm very happy for them."

Harvest Prep rallied from 18 down in the semifinals to get to Saturday's game, and did it again as the Warriors overcame a nine-point deficit in the second quarter.

"That shows the kind of girls we have," said Dennis. "They have character and heart and never gave up on each other."

Schlabach said the Hawks' lack of shooting was their ultimate Achilles' Heel.

"We shot 27 percent (13 of 48) and ultimately you've got to make shots," said Schlabach. "It was one of those nights when we couldn't get the next shot to fall.

"We had 15 free throws (11 of 15 for 73 percent) in the first half and none in the second," added Schlabach. "Our inability to get to the free-throw line was big. We struggled with their size inside."

The defensive effort was there as the Hawks forced the Warriors into 21 turnovers, while Stutzman took five charges in the 32 minutes of play.

"That was the single most incredible defensive performance I've ever seen," noted the Hawks' coach.

Weaver led the Hawks as she scored 15 of her game high 19 points at the intermission. Senior Noelle Yoder was next in line with six. Stutzman and sophomore McKenzie Miller each added five.

"She (Weaver) had half of their points (15 of 27) at halftime," said Dennis. "We made things tougher for her and we also got some results on the offensive end. We hit some free throws. Those were big free throws.

"We tried to make them put the ball on the floor and not allow them to shoot 3-pointers," said Dennis. "That means people who have the basketball are going to have to drive to the basket."

That strategy worked because the Hawks missed a number of easy baskets thanks in part to the defensive presence of 6-foot-1 junior forward Shicole Watts.

Watts, who shared Division IV Player of the Year honors with Weaver, led the winners with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Her two free throws with 15.9 seconds left pushed Harvest Prep's lead to 45-41.

With the game tied at 41-41, freshman Cheyenne Rose hit two free throws with 36.9 left to give the Wildcats the lead for good.

Hiland led 13-9 after the first quarter and 27-21 at the half, but Harvest Prep took a 38-37 edge into the final frame.

The Warriors maintained the lead in the fourth quarter until a Weaver layup off a Harvest Prep turnover knotted the game at 41-41 with 48 seconds left.

On the ensuing possession, Weaver was called for a blocking foul near midcourt and that sent the Warriors to the line with the bonus.

And Rose responded to give the Warriors the lead they would not relinquish.

"I saw she was out of control so I set my feet," recalled Weaver. "I fell back and she ran over me, but the call went the other way so there's not much you can do about it."

Harvest Prep made 17 of 44 action shots for 39 percent and 10 of 15 free throws for 67 percent.

The Warriors had a 36-31 edge in rebounding with Watts leading the way. Senior Katelyn Stuckey paced Hiland with seven.