PUEBLO, Colo.—Tori Mortensen scored 11 of her game-high 17 points in the second half as No. 7 Sanford continued its Cinderella run through the 2A state girls’ basketball tournament with a 45-34 semifinals win over No. 3 Rye Friday night in Pueblo.
A day after knocking off No. 2 Akron, the Indians (21-4) used a stingy defense to limit the Thunderbolts (22-4). Sanford outscored Rye 13-7 in the second quarter to take a 25-18 lead into the locker room and outscored the Thunderbolts in both second-half quarters.
Rye stayed close late via the 3-pointer, but clutch free throws down the stretch helped Sanford pull away.
The Indians will face the winner of the semifinal between No. 1 Sedgwick County (20-3) and No. 3 Evangelical Christian Academy (23-2).
Shadae Brodie led Rye with 15 points, and Sarah Pigg added 11.
