Photos: No. 2 Auburn beats No. 5 Seattle Prep to earn WIAA Class 3A state championship berth

TACOMA, Wash. — In a low-scoring, defensive battle, Auburn was up for the task.

Maleek Arington scored a game-high 12 points, Junior Tyrell Nichols had all eight of his points in a second half spurt and Kaden Hansen hit a late 3 to help the No. 2 Trojans pull away from No. 5 Seattle Prep 45-34 in the 3A state semifinals.

(RELATED: 3A/4A WIAA boys semifinals highlights, recaps: Auburn, Rainier Beach win in 3A, 4A down to Mount Si, Curtis)

After a low-scoring first half — Seattle Prep led 17-14 at halftime — Nichols helped Auburn find a rhythm in the third quarter and outscore Prep 17-6.

Kaden Hansen hit a 3 with a minute left to push Auburn's lead to nine and hit two game-sealing free throws in the final seconds.

The Trojans will play the winner of Rainier Beach and Mt. Spokane in the 3A state championship game on Saturday at 7 p.m.

Here are photos from the game. All photos by Vince Miller.