ERIE — Mars sophomore swing player Lauren Wasylson had just given her team a 3-point lead with a pair of free throws with just four seconds left in the game.

Then the unthinkable happened.

Mercyhurst Prep’s Emily Shopene banked in a shot from half-court, sending the game into overtime.

The Lakers outscored the Planets 8-3 in the extra period to prevail 50-45 in a PIAA Class AAA first-round girls basketball playoff game Saturday night at Gannon University’s Hammermill Center.

Mars coach Dana Petruska tried her best to keep her team in the right mind-set entering overtime.

“That shot from half-court goes in and I was actually laughing about it as the girls came to the bench,” she said. “I told them, “OK, so we get to play some more.’ But they were shell-shocked. They were in disbelief.”

The Planets, who led 19-16 at halftime and 32-27 entering the fourth period, received 16 points from both Wasylson and freshman point guard Tai Johnson.

Nicole McCloud contributed nine points for the Planets.

But seven 3-pointers from the Lakers (19-7), including Shopene’s answered prayer, helped to end Mars’ season.

The Planets finished 19-7 overall after sharing the Section 1-AAA section title with Hampton during the regular season.

Maddie Hiegel paced a balanced Mercyhurst Prep attack with 11 points. Shopene added 10.

“It’s heartbreaking to have our season end like it did,” said Petruska, “but I’m very proud of the girls. They did a tremendous job this season.”

MARS 45

Hannah Ryan 1 0-0 2, Tai Johnson 5 5-7 16, Lauren Wasylson 2 12-15 16, Bri Buzard 1 0-0 2, Nicole McCloud 3 3-5 9, Grace Ryan 0 0-0 0, Nichole Sommers 0 0-0 0, Elise Sheehy 0 0-0 0. Totals: 12 20-27 45.

MERCYHURST PREP 50

Olivia Miller 2 4-4 8, Maddie Hiegel 3 5-6 11, Lindsey Friello 1 3-4 6, Emily Shopene 4 0-1 10, Renee Stoicovy 2 0-0 6, Ellie Steiner 2 1-4 7, Sydney Johnston 1 0-0 2. Totals: 15 13-19 50.

Mars 7 12 13 10 3 — 45

Mercyhurst Prep7 9 11 15 8 — 50

3-point goals: Mars 1 (Johnson); Mercyhurst Prep 7 (Shopene 2, Stoicovy 2, Steiner 2, Friello).