CHICKAMAUGA, Ga. — Once her 3-point shot fell through the net with 3:46 remaining in Friday’s first-round state tournament game, Gordon Lee’s Lesslie Bohannon gave two quick fist pumps as the Lady Trojans’ basketball fans rose to their feet.

They had earned the right to celebrate.

Bohannon’s shot gave Gordon Lee its first lead against Holy Innocents’, and after battling their way back from an 11-point deficit, the Lady Trojans held on for 59-57 victory in the matchup of state-ranked Class A teams.

“We were behind the whole game, from the very beginning,” Bohannon said. “Once we finally got that lead, we went out and played a lot better. We started taking care of the ball and playing more as a team. Once we started doing the things we’re good at, it all fell into place.”

Gordon Lee struggled in the first quarter and fell behind 17-6 in the opening minute of the second. Two 3s in the period helped the Lady Trojans get within four points, but the Lady Bears scored the final four of the half and took a 32-24 advantage into the break.

“I think that whether the girls would admit it or not, when you’re playing in the state tournament, sometimes the nerves get to you,” Gordon Lee coach Lester Galyon said. “But I thought we did a good job of not panicking. We kept playing.”

Three more treys helped Gordon Lee keep pace in the third before Holy Innocents’ pulled away again to lead by seven heading into the final period. The Lady Trojans, however, began to get the defensive stops they had been lacking, and a basket from Holli Brooks got them within one with 5:31 to play.

After a Holy Innocents’ basket, Bohannon responded with a steal and layup, then stole the ball again on the Lady Bears’ next possession and sank the 3 that put her team ahead for the first time at 52-50. Two free throws tied it, but another 3 from Bohannon gave Gordon Lee the lead for good.

“There were two things that made a big difference,” Galyon said. “First, Lesslie’s shots were huge. That gave us the offense we were needing. Second, we got some steals and layups there at the end that gave us a little breathing room.”

Brooks, who totaled 14 points, scored to give Gordon Lee a four-point lead with 1:27 left. After Holy Innocents’ made it a two-point game a minute later, the Lady Bears missed a potential tying shot in the final seconds, and the Lady Trojans held on despite missing their final three free throws.

“It was nerve-racking,” Bohannon said of the game’s final seconds. “They started pressing, and we knew we had to take care of the ball or they were going to get a steal.”

Bohannon scored a game-high 18 points, and Jordan Buchanan added 10 as the Lady Trojans (25-3) set a school record for victories. They will host a second-round game Tuesday against the winner of Friday’s game between Social Circle and Providence Christian.

GORDON LEE 59, HOLY INNOCENTS’ 57

Holy Innocents’ 15 17 14 11 — 57

Gordon Lee 6 18 15 20 — 59

Holy Innocents’ (57) — McDearis 2, Eryn Delaney 15, Sienon 3, Seiple, Madison McBride 14, Thurmond 6, Alex Williams 11, DeLaney, Denerson 6.

Gordon Lee (59) — Quinn 4, Taylor 3, Gallahar 6, J. O’Neal, Holli Brooks 14, J. Johnson, K. Johnson, Lesslie Bohannon 18, A. O’Neal 4, Jordan Buchanan 10.

3-point goals: Holy Innocents’ 3 (Williams 2, Sienon); Gordon Lee 7 (Bohannon 4, Brooks 2, Taylor). Record: Gordon Lee 25-3.