Time, and the season, ran out on the Bishop Verot Vikings Saturday night.

Tampa Catholic hit a series of three-pointers in the second quarter to grab the lead and held off the Vikings down the stretch for a 57-54 victory in the Region 3A-3 finals at Verot.

“We had our chances to beat them,” said Vikings coach Matt Herting. “It is what it is.”

After taking a 13-5 lead after the first quarter of play, the Crusaders connected for six three-pointers in the second quarter to claim a 29-24 halftime lead. The Crusaders struggled offensively after that, but managed to hang onto the lead until four minutes remained when the Vikings tied the game at 46-46.

Another three-pointer by Lashawn Harrison, who finished with a game-high 25 points, gave the Crusaders the lead for good 52-47 with less than three minutes remaining.

Michael Matthews sank two free throws, his only points of the night, with 43 seconds left to give the Crusaders a 56-51 lead.

Nate Howard’s two free throws with 18 seconds left pulled the Vikings within 56-54, but Harrison hit one of two free throws with 17 seconds left for the final margin.

The Vikings tried to work for the tying three-pointer as the seconds ticked off the clock, but Jason Hoop’s rushed three-pointer at the buzzer caromed off the rim.

Howard finished with 14 points and nine rebounds to lead three Vikings in double figures. Mason Taylor added 13 points and Ricky Doyle added 12 points and 11 rebounds.

The win sends Tampa Catholic to the FHSAA Final Four next week in Lakeland.

The loss leaves the Vikings (22-8) thinking about next year.

Another Southwest Florida team knocked out of the playoffs Saturday is the Fort Myers Green Wave, who lost to Tampa Blake 74-65 in the Region 4A-3 final. It also ended the Green Wave’s quest to repeat as the Class 4A state champions.

T. Catholic 5 24 13 16 – 57

Bishop Verot 13 11 12 18 – 54

Catholic 57 – Harrison 25, Thomas 4, Mokris 3, Corbett 10, Rubio 7, Aguila 6, Matthews 2.

Verot 54 – Wagner 9, Taylor 13, Reeves 3, Hoop 1, Doyle 12, Howard 14, Brittenham 2.