MOUNT VERNON 47, ROLAND-STORY 38

After winning one state championship already this year, Mount Vernon now has a chance to win another.

The unranked Mustangs pulled away in the fourth quarter to beat No. 9 Roland-Story 47-38 Thursday in the Class 2A semifinals -- Mount Vernon's third straight victory over a ranked team in postseason play.

Mount Vernon won the 2A volleyball championship in November and several players from that team are making major contributions in the bid for the school's first girls basketball title.

Taylor Dicus led the Mustangs with 13 points, seven rebounds and three assists. Liz Skotowski added 11 points, while Brianna Strong and Courtney Kintzel, both first-team all-state volleyball players, each scored six points. Kintzel added six rebounds and three steals.

Mount Vernon upset No. 1 Cascade in the regional final to reach the state tournament for just the second time in school history. The Mustangs then elimianted 11th-ranked Aubudon in the first round.

They'll face yet another ranked team in the title game at 8 p.m. Friday, taking on No. 2 Manson-Northwest Webster. Mount Vernon takes a 24-3 record into the game.

Maddie Oliver notched her second double-double of the tournament to lead Roland-Story, scoring 20 points, grabbing 15 rebounds and blocking seven shots. Britny Halleland had six points and five assists for the Norsemen, who finish 25-2.

With the 6-foot-2 Oliver and 6-1 Mia Pierson, Roland-Story had a couple of players to match Mount Vernon's size and length. The Norsemen jumped to an early 6-0 lead, led by two at halftime and trailed just 35-34 heading into the fourth quarter.

Mount Vernon then clamped down with its defense and began the final quarter with a 12-2 run to open a 47-36 lead with 1:12 left, putting the game out of reach. The Mustangs held Roland-Story to one field goal in the quarter -- and that came with 59 seconds left.