The Warren Central Lady Vikes’ once-promising season has been pushed to the brink.

The Lady Vikes lost to Clinton, 51-42, in the first round of the Division 4-6A basketball tournament Monday night in Greenville. It was their third loss in five games, all against division opponents, and sent them into an elimination game Friday against Provine at 4 p.m.

The winner of the WC-Provine game will advance to the Class 6A state tournament that begins next week.

Clinton (22-4) advanced to the division tournament championship game Friday at 7 p.m. against Greenville, and also clinched a spot in the state tournament. Greenville beat Provine 59-28 in the other first-round game on Monday.

Clinton was 1-for-12 from 3-point range against Warren Central, but went 20-for-26 from the free throw line.

Amber Gaston led Warren Central (19-8) with 13 points and six rebounds, while Aniya Sanders had 12 points and five rebounds. Mychala Linzy scored a game-high 19 points for Clinton.