Good things came in threes for Southeast Polk.

The ninth-ranked Rams made 10 3-pointers, converted a traditional three-point play and sank three free throws after being fouled on a 3-point attempt.

The result was a 54-46 victory over No. 3 Waterloo West that sends the defending champions back to the Class 5A title game.

Southeast Polk won it with a share-the-wealth offense and accurate free throw shooting at the end. Jessica Cole led the Rams with 16 points, Abby Penquite scored 15, Annie Penquite had 12 and Jacey Huinker finished with eight points, 11 rebounds and eight assists.

Iowa State recruit Blaire Thomas led West with 18 points 11 rebounds and Haley Puk, who'll play at Bowling Green next year, scored 15. The Wahawks grabbed 20 offensive rebounds and Thomas converted five of them into baskets, but they couldn't overcome Southeast Polk's 10-for-23 shooting from long range. The Rams also made 14 of 17 free throws while West went 3-for-7 at the line.

West led by as many as six points in the third quarter and was up 35-30 late in the period. Abby Penquite then sank all three free throws after being fouled on a 3-point shot and Cole hit a pair of 3s to put the Rams up 39-37. They led the rest of the way.

After Huinker posted up for a basket that produced a 45-40 lead, the Rams made eight of 10 free throws to keep stay in control.

Southeast Polk will take an 18-6 record into the the championship game at 8 p.m. Saturday, when the Rams will go after their third state title. They won the six-player crown in 1977.

West finishes 22-3 after its seventh appearance at state.