Top-ranked Western Christian fought off a tough challenge from unranked Des Moines Christian to earn another trip to the Class 2A semifinals.

Jamie Gesink scored 19 points to lead a balanced offense that carried the two-defending champs to a 66-53 victory over a Lions team making its first appearance in the state tournament.

With good athletes at every position, Western Christian pushed the ball up the floor after both makes and misses and outscored the Lions 19-2 in fastbreak points.

Alissa Pollema added 16 points, nine rebounds and nine assists for the Wolfpack, Kenzie Bousema scored 11, Summer Jansen had eight and Erika Douma six on two third quarter 3-pointers that helped Western stay in control.

Des Moines Christian also had great balance. Sara Juhl led with 15 points, sisters Brittany and Beth Zimmer each scored 14 and Elsa Anderson 10.

The Lions had reached the state tournament on buzzer-beating shots by Beth Zimmer in the regional semifinals and finals. But Western Christian didn't let the Lions get close enough for any late game heroics this time.

Pollema is the only returning starter from Western's 2013 championship team, but the Wolfpack just keep rolling along. They'll take a 25-1 record against No. 5 North Linn in a semifinal game at 1:30 p.m. Thursday.

Western scored six straight points in the final 1:15 of the first quarter to erase a 15-13 deficit, then got the first basket of the second quarter and led the rest of the way. Douma's 3-pointer gave Western a 45-32 lead midway through the third quarter and Des Moines Christian never got closer than seven the rest of the way.

Des Moines Christian finishes 20-5 and with just one senior in the starting lineup, should be a contender again next season.