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FLINT — A rematch of the Michigan Community College Athletic Association state tournament semifinals between Southwestern Michigan College and St. Clair County Community College will decide the champions of the Great Lakes District B Tournament Saturday afternoon.

The Roadrunners earned another shot at the Skippers, who defeated SMC 80-66 last weekend in the MCCAA tournament. Tipoff at Mott Community College is scheduled for 4 p.m.

Southwestern Michigan nearly led the opportunity split away Thursday night as the Roadrunner had a 39-18 halftime lead evaporate in the final 20 minutes of play against Lakeland Community College.

The Lakers were able to get the lead down to six points with 3:40 to play in the fourth quarter, but could not overcome their early deficit. The Roadrunners defeated Lakeland 71-61 to advance to Saturday’s championship game.

Southwestern Michigan had to play the entire second half without starter Amara Palmer (Niles), who was injured late in the first half and did not return to the bench after intermission. The Roadrunners also had to play parts of the final 20 minutes without second leading scorer Macey Laubach (Edwardsburg), who had foul trouble and eventually fouled out with 4:23 to play in the fourth quarter with xxx minutes to play.

Southwestern Michigan found a way to overcome all that as Kamryn Patterson (Niles) and Ariana Lemons (Michigan City, Indiana) came off the bench and provided a combined 18 points. The pair also combined for 11 rebounds.

Leading 63-57, SMC leading scorer Cameron Thomas (Hazel Park, Illinois) scored with 2:37 to play to up the Roadrunners’ advantage to 67-59.

Lemons took over from there as she hit a mid-range jump shot with 1:49 to push the lead back to eight points, 69-61. Her basket with 58 seconds remaining, sealed the victory.

The Roadrunners (25-4) led 18-7 after the opening quarter and appeared to be firing on all cylinders as they tacked on 23 points in the second quarter to take the 21-point halftime advantage.

Lakeland, which came into the game riding a six-game winning streak, regrouped at halftime and made a run at SMC in the final 40 minutes. The Lakers (13-9) outscored the Roadrunners 43-32 in the second half to make the final score more respectable.

Thomas led SMC with 19 points and five rebounds, while Laubach finished with 15 points and four rebounds. Nalani Williams (St. Louis, Missouri) had a double-double for the Roadrunners with 11 points and 13 rebounds.

Lakeland’s Trinity Jackson tied Patterson for game-high honors with 19 points. The Lakers had four of its five starters in double figures with Mya James added 13, Lauren Perry 12 and Monica Devine 10 points.