Photo submitted Warren’s girls basketball team defeated Conneaut 45-37 on Thursday for the Region 5 title. Lady Dragons, pictured, in front, from left, are: Alyssa Farr, Caitlin Barney, Halle Kuzminski, Sammie Ruhlman and Peyton Wotorson. In back are: Maggie Bennett, Adison Cullers, Peyton Hagg, Emma Rarey, Meea Irwin, Alana Stuart and Emma Roell.

LINESVILLE — The Warren Dragons weren’t about to share the Region 5 title. That was apparent down the stretch of a 45-37 win on Thursday at Conneaut.

With Conneaut’s deficit getting down to as close as four points in the fourth quarter, Warren went 7 of 9 from the free-throw line — Sammie Ruhlman and Alyssa Farr were each 3 for 4 — to seal an eight-point win and a season sweep of the Eagles.

Alana Stuart hit a 3-pointer in the 12-8 fourth out of her team-high 15 points and Kuzminski added three more of her 13 total points in Warren’s 13th straight win.

“Our motto all season has been #BlueCollarWork,” said Warren coach Lisa LaVan, whose Dragons finish the regular season at 18-4 overall and 10-0 in Region 5. “This is what our group does. They grind and they grind and they grind. Tonight was no different. It was a very hostile environment and the girls just went to work. I am so proud of the way that they played. We played as a team and that is just what we do.”

Lainie Harrington stormed out of the gates with 9 of her team-high 15 points in a 14-13 Conneaut first quarter, but she was held to one more field goal — a 3-pointer plus 3 of 4 free throws — the rest of the way. Second-place Conneaut (15-7, 8-2) was 6 of 10 at the line in the final quarter.

Conneaut has won eight of 11 games since Jan. 18, but both region losses were against Warren in that time.

“Our defense was tough,” said LaVan. “We really did a nice job. We also matched their physicality very well.”

Ruhlman finished with 13 points for three Dragons in double figures.

“These girls work so hard — all of them,” said LaVan. “This title is awesome and I am glad we are not sharing.”

The District 10 4A playoffs begin next week for both teams.

WARREN (45)

Ruhlman 4 3 11, Kuzminski 5 3 13, Farr 0 3 3, Roell 0 0 0, Stuart 6 1 15, Wotorson 1 0 3, Irwin 0 0 0. Totals 16 10-14 45.

CONNEAUT (37)

Harrington 5 3 15, Brady 3 4 10, Perrye 2 1 5, Crabb 0 0 0, Poff 2 3 7. Totals 12 11-20 37.

3-point goals–Stuart 2, Wotorson, Harrington 2.

Warren 13 8 12 12 — 45

Conneaut 14 6 9 8 — 37