West Des Moines Valley turned a solid defensive performance into a trip to the Class 4A semifinals.

Playing in the state tournament for the first time in 10 years, the fifth-ranked Tigers held No. 4 Des Moines East in check to earn a 47-38 victory.

Ashton McClairen led Valley (20-4) with 17 points on 7-for-12 shooting. Point guard Emily Hejlik added nine points and four assists while playing all 32 minutes and center Molly McClelland scored eight despite sitting out half the game because of foul trouble.

Center Tia Mays had a big game for East (19-5) with 23 points, eight rebounds and three blocks. Mays made nine of 17 shots, mostly on strong moves inside, but Valley was able to contain her teammates.

Valley scored the game's first four points and never trailed, though East stayed with the Tigers until the final two minutes.

East trailed 42-36 after Becca Hurley's steal and layup with 2:24 left. But McClairen got a layup off an inbounds play with 1:11 remaining, Hejlik sank a free throw and the Tigers held on.