The Nansemond-Suffolk Academy girls’ basketball team couldn’t quite put together the perfect ending to a remarkably successful season.

Facing The Miller School of Albemarle in the state championship game for the second time in as many years, the Lady Saints adjusted the story this year. They were blown out last year, 57-25, but this year’s game was close throughout.

Their performance put victory within their reach, but critical turnovers in the final minutes allowed the Lady Mavericks to pull away for a 46-41 victory in the Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association Division II state title game on Saturday at Richard Bland College.

“I think we put forth a great effort,” NSA coach Kim Aston said. “Kind of the same things that have plagued us at times this year — turning the ball over at crucial points — we did. You can’t do that in big games.”

Miller led 14-12 after the first quarter, the game was tied 25-25 at halftime and Miller held a 36-34 lead going into the fourth period.

Any lead beyond three points began to feel significant because of how close the contest was.

Benefiting from a Nansemond-Suffolk turnover, the Lady Mavericks managed to take a 41-36 lead at one point. But like she did all day, NSA senior point guard Harper Birdsong helped keep her team in the game, hitting a shot to make it 41-38.

Lady Saints junior forward Kelly Hogan fought valiantly in the paint against Miller’s tall front court players to grab an offensive rebound. She was fouled and hit a free throw to make it 41-39.

NSA turned the ball over multiple times with around a minute and a half to go in the game. Shortly thereafter, they were forced to begin fouling to stop the clock, and the Lady Mavericks pulled away for good.

“I thought Harper and Caroline (Hogg) played extremely hard,” Aston said. “Caroline had a really tough task in keeping (Imani Bryant) at bay.”

Bryant is a 6-foot-1-inch senior forward who the Lady Mavericks frequently tried to go to in the post.

“I thought Caroline did a really good job defensively in the post and boxing out,” Aston said.

Imani and Secret Bryant finished with 12 points apiece.

Birdsong led all scorers with 23 points.

“I think everybody played their best game, honestly,” Birdsong said. “I think everybody did as good as they could, so I can’t be too disappointed. I think we were really evenly matched.”