REIDSVILLE, N.C. – They’re back.

The defending 2A state champions’ 58th consecutive victory punched their ticket back to the western regional final.

Behind 30 points from star point guard Dionte Neal, Reidsville held off Salisbury 77-69 in a rematch of last year’s regional championship rematch.

Johnniyus Sharpe set the tone with two three-point baskets to open the game. The USC-Aiken recruit finished with 20 in a game that the Rams never trailed.

Leading 17-10 after one, Reidsville mashed its foot on the gas in the second. With Kendre Harrison on the bench with a pair of fouls, Cam’Ron Jones scored six points in the frame to push the advantage to double figures.

Neal entered the locker room at half with a dozen points to his name and a 36-21 lead.

Salisbury fought back in the third thanks to junior guard Braylon Taylor who saved 20 of his team-high 27 points for the second half. Despite the run, Harrison, Neal and Sharpe ended the period on a lightning-fast run to hold onto their 15-point lead.

9 of Reidsville’s 12 second half free throws fell to help hold off the Hornets.

The Rams will face Bandys in Thursday’s 2A regional final. The winner will play for the state championship on Saturday.