South Beloit 59, Pecatonica 52: South Beloit ended a 31-year regional championship drought with a win over Pecatonica on Friday.

The Sobos won their first regional title since 1977-78 at the Class 1A Pecatonica Regional. South Beloit (27-1) advanced to next week’s River Ridge Sectional and will play Scales Mound (13-15) in Tuesday’s semifinals.

Denzel Woods poured in four 3-pointers and finished with 18 points for the Sobos, while Antonio Little and Matt Peterson followed with 15 and 12 points.

The teams were tied at 29 apiece at halftime before South Beloit put together a 13-3 third-quarter run to make it 42-37 with one quarter to play.

Down the stretch, the Sobos took advantage of the Indians’ fouls by converting on 10 of 12 free throws in the final two minutes of the game.

“They made plays. That’s why they are the No. 1 team in the state,” Pecatonica coach Kevin Kunkel said.

Jared Reddy and Roland Wortman led the Indians with 12 points apiece.

“I have to give a lot of credit to Pecatonica, they played really tough defense,” South Beloit coach Mat Parker said.

- Bill Swick, gatehouse news service