CHAMPAIGN — The Nashville Hornets are headed back to the 2A State Championship game for the third time in the last nine years after outlasting DePaul College Prep 31-24, in double overtime.

The two defenses made life miserable for the opposing offenses, as the teams combined to make only 21 of 71 shots, including 1-23 from three-point range.

The Rams built a 19-11 third quarter lead but could not deliver the knockout blow. Nashville senior Saxton Hoepker scored the final four points of the third quarter and first four points of the fourth to tie the game at 19.

Jaylan McElroy’s steal and bucket put DePaul College Prep back up two, but Kolten Gajewski tied it back up with a little less than three minutes to play.

The game went to overtime tied at 21.

Each team could manage only a free throw in the first overtime, but Nashville dominated the second OT. Hoepker’s rebound bucket on the first possession gave the Hornets their first lead of the night. Nashville extended the lead by going 5-6 from the free throw line. Gajewski sealed it with a dunk against the press as the Hornets outscored the Rams 9-2 in the second overtime.

Hoepker was the only player for either team to reach double figures. He finished with a double-double, 13 points and 10 rebounds.

Nashville will now face Monticello in the championship game Saturday afternoon at the State Farm Center. The Sages shutdown Rockridge 54-38 in the other semifinal. The game is scheduled for 12:30.