The Mullen Lady Broncos fell just short Thursday in their bid to knock off the top seed Humphrey St. Francis in the Class D2 semifinals at the NSAA girls basketball championships. Mullen pushed the undefeated Flyers to the limit. Mullen grabbed the lead 59-58 late in the fourth but St. Francis would quickly answer when Alissa Kosch hit her fifth three of the game to retake the lead 61-59. HSF would then convert from the free throw line in the final seconds to secure the win. The free throw line was big for the Flyers finishing 20 of 25 for the game. Mullen was 9 of 13 from the line. The game featured two all state players and both delivered all state performances. Allison Weidner of Humphrey St. Francis, the University of Nebraska recruit, finished with a game high 31 points while Mullen’s Samantha Moore, the UNK commit finished with a team high 28. Mullen will now play Wynot in the Class D2 third place consolation game Friday morning at 9 am at Lincoln Northeast High School. Wynot, the defending D2 champions, fell to Falls City Sacred Heart 41-27 in the other D2 semifinal. The game will be broadcast on KBBN 95.3 FM and on kbbn.com
In other state tournament action, Pleasanton will return to the D1 championship game as they look to defend their title from a year ago. Pleasanton used a big third quarter to pull away from Archbishop Bergan in the semifinals. Pleasanton led by one at the half but opened the 2nd half on a 12-0 run and would outscore Bergan 25-5 in the third quarter and then survived a furious rally by Archbishop Bergan in the fourth to they held on for a 61-52 win. Pleasanton will play for the D1 championship Saturday morning at 9 am at Pinnacle Bank Arena. The Lady Bulldogs will face Weeping Water who defeated Hartington Cedar Catholic 51-50 in overtime.
Class C2 semifinals
Crofton 66
Bridgeport 46
Ponca 55
BRLD 37
Friday’s semifinals
Class C1
North Bend Central vs Winnebago
Lincoln Lutheran vs Hastings SC
Class B
Norris vs York
Scottsbluff vs Elkhorn North
Class A
Lincoln Pius vs Omaha Central
Fremont vs Millard South
