PUEBLO — It took about 3 1/2 quarters before Briggsdale could get its offense cooking Friday night at the Colorado State Fair Events Center.
By the time the Falcons finally started hitting their jumpers, it was too late, as Wiley hung on for a 37-34 victory in the semifinals of the Class 1A girls state tournament.
The Panthers advance to the championship game at 5:15 p.m. tonight, where they will face the top-seeded Kim Mustangs, who are 25-0 after handling Pawnee 61-27.
Briggsdale’s offense shot just 15 percent from the field in the first three quarters, and the Falcons stayed in the game only because they went 7-for-11 from the free-throw line. Wiley, on the other hand, had yet to attempt a free throw going into the fourth quarter, but was 30 percent from the field.
“We did a decent job when things weren’t falling and tried to get to the free throw to knock the lid off the rim,” Briggsdale coach Robert Williams said.
Entering the fourth quarter with a two-point lead, Wiley went on a 10-2 run. The run was capped when Taylin Spitzer made a layup and was fouled. She missed her free throw, but Tanner Parmely grabbed the rebound and sank a fadeaway jumper. She was fouled, but also missed her free throw.
Parmely’s basket was the team’s last of the game, giving Briggsdale four minutes to break down the 10-point deficit.
Kim 61, Pawnee 27 • Anyone who showed up late for the second semifinal only had to glance at the scoreboard to see which team was the top seed. Kim was on pace to touch the century mark, leading 25-3 after the first quarter.
The pace for 100 didn’t last long, but the lead was never in jeopardy. Haley Sheldon paced Kim with 18 points.
Kim was led in the first quarter by Danielle Lewis, who had seven points. But after the rough first quarter, Pawnee outscored Kim 13-9 in the second quarter.
Pawnee’s Adele Cass, who had 24 points in the quarterfinals, had a team-high 10 points.
