JUNCTION – The No. 12 Brownwood Lady Lions held on down the stretch to defeat No. 15 La Vernia, 40-39, in a Class 4A Top 15 non-district neutral site battle here Monday night.

The Lady Lions (13-3) converted just 9 of 21 free throws, which allowed La Vernia (14-5) to hang around until the final buzzer as the Lady Bears missed two potential game-winning shots in the final five seconds.

From the floor, Brownwood shot 34 percent (13 of 38), including 27 percent (5 of 18) from three-point land. The Lady Lions also grabbed 14 rebounds, tallied eight steals and coughed up 11 turnovers.

Brownwood led 14-10 after one quarter, 25-20 at halftime, and 33-29 heading to the fourth period.

Leading the way offensively for the Lady Lions were Trinity Roberts with 13 points, Hannah Deen with 10, Nylah Hall with seven, Icess Hall with five, Jentry Coalson with three, Jade Morin with two points.

Brownwood will next host Class 5A No. 10 Abilene Wylie at 2:15 p.m. Friday.