Harlan survived another close call and this one brought the biggest reward of all.

Jess Schaben dominated inside with 24 points and nine rebounds and the top-ranked Cyclones held on at the end to beat No. 8 Western Dubuque 55-51 to win the Class 4A state championship and complete an unbeaten season.

Like its first two victories at state, which Harlan won by a total of five points, this one wasn't easy. The Cyclones led by 13 points early in the fourth quarter, then found themselves in a tie at 50-50 with under and minute and a half to play.

But the Cyclones did just enough after that to pull it out and claim the basketball title after winning the 4A volleyball championship in November.

Harlan worked an inbounds play from the sideline to get a layup for Schaben that broke the tie with 1:13 remaining. After Megan Maahs' free throw brought Western Dubuque to within a point, the Cyclones made three of four at the line to stay ahead. Schaben helped by rebounding Western Dubuque's final two misses.

Schaben is a 6-foot-2 junior who has committed to Iowa State for volleyball. The Cyclones were able to get her the ball inside throughout the game and she made 10 of her 11 shots. She also blocked two shots and had an assist.

Taylor Frederick added eight points for Harlan and Ellle Kloewer scored six, including two free throws that made it 54-51.

Harlan finished with a 26-10 edge in points in the paint and had assists on 17 of its 20 field goals, with Kloewe handing out five and Jordyn Moser six.

Rose Simon-Ressler and Megan Maahs led Western Dubuque with 12 poins and Zoey Weber scored nine.

Western Dubuque's Molly Lembezeder hit a 3-pointer and sank two free throws to produce the tie at 50. But Harlan followed with the quick Schaben basket and the Bobcats never got the lead.