Top-ranked Thornton Academy (18-1) scored 10 straight points in the third quarter to shake off a challenge from the fifth-seeded Red Storm (9-11) at the Cross Insurance Arena and roll to the Class AA South girls’ basketball final.

The Golden Trojans will take on Gorham, an overtime winner over Sanford, for the regional title at 7 p.m. Saturday at CIA.

An inside game propelled by Addisen Sulikowski (15 points) and Emily Coleman (12) proved too much for Scarborough, a ball-hawking team that stayed close for more than a half until the deciding surge.

Caroline Hartley was immense for the Red Storm, who lost three times this season to Thornton. She bulled her way inside and also showed a deft outside touch, finishing with 25 points despite early foul trouble.

After Emerson Flaker scored the first basket of the second half to pull the Red Storm within 28-23, Thornton went on its run, capped by a Sulikowski 3-pointer that made it 38-23 with two minutes left in the final quarter. Scarborough pulled no closer than 13.

Kylie Lamson added 10 points for Thornton.