Another game, another big upset for Newell-Fonda.

The unranked Mustangs rolled into the Class 1A state championship game with an 81-62 victory over No. 1 and previously unbeaten Dunkerton in Wednesday night's semifinals. This after knocking off fifth-ranked Southeast Webster-Grand in the opening round.

And now Newell-Fonda,which has no seniors, is getting a third chance to win the title. The Mustangs lost in the finals in 1997 and 2000. They'll play for the championship at 6 p.m. Friday.

Lauren Devereaux led Newell-Fonda (23-3) with 17 points, Susan Kies scored 16 and Katelyn Laursen 14.

Kayla Waskow's 24 points led Dunkerton, which reached the state tournament for the first time and finishes 25-1. Danielle Graham scored 10 for the Raiders. Waskow also had eight rebounds, six assists, five steals and three blocks.

The game played out just as expected. Both teams pushed the pace, pressed, chased the opponent all over the floor and substituted freely. Dunkerton often brought in five new players at a time. Several times, there were seven players from the two teams waiting at the scorer's table to check in. On one occasion, nine new players were waiting to get into the game.

Newell-Fonda finished with 18 steals. Dunkerton had 13.

Newell-Fonda raced to an early 19-10 lead, Dunkerton caught up by scoring the final eight points of the first quarter and it stayed close for the next few minutes. Late in the first half, it was tied at 36.

Then Devereaux converted a three-point play off an offensive rebound, starting an 11-2 run that spanned halftime and put Newell-Fonda ahead 47-38. Another bucket by Devereaux made it 51-40 and the Mustangs' lead was never below eight after that.