SIOUX CITY BISHOP HEELAN 54, PELLA 32

Sioux City Bishop Heelan is going back to the state championship game with a chance to repeat.

Carli Tritz scored 20 points and seventh-ranked Bishop Heelan shut down No. 8 Pella in a 45-32 victory in the Class 3A semifinals Thursday night.

It was a rematch of last year's championship game, which Bishop Heelan won 54-51. This year, the Crusaders' opponent will be top-ranked Ballard, which advanced with a 59-30 cruise past Waukon. They'll meet at 6 p.m. on Saturday for the title.

Heelan led 14-11 after a slow-paced first half, built an 11-point lead in the fourth quarter, then made its free throws to stay in control when Pella threatened.

Pella twice cut the lead to six, the second time at 38-32 when Jordyn Vande Lune scored inside. Tritz then fed Natalie Vondrak for a layup and the Crusaders hit five of eight free throws to secure the victory. Tritz sank three of those free throws and also came up with a couple of steals in that stretch to frustrate Pella.

Tritz finished 10-for-12 at the line and also had four steals and two blocks. Tori Vondrak scored seven points for Bishop Heelan, while Maggie Vondrak and Millie Niggeling each scored six for the Crusaders, who have won 16 of their last 17 and are now 20-4.

Brooke Gritters carried the load for Pella, scoring 16 points on 6-for-9 shooting and grabbing 14 rebounds. The Dutch finished 24-2.