AURORA- Although the saying "it's not how you start, it's how you finish," is usually true, Lourdes Central Catholic can credit a ticket-clinching performance on what preceded tip-off.

The four-seeded, (18-4), Lourdes Central Catholic knights squared off against the thirteen-seeded, (19-6) Ravenna bluejays squad for a chance to potentially see who can make a run in state.

The knights won tip-off, thanks in part to six-foot three-inch senior Gina McGowen. After tip, the knights were quick to get the offense rolling. A quick 7-0 to start the game off, along with a barrage of shots and steals, looked to have put the bluejays away early in Aurora. The knights sat comfortably with a seven-point lead for the majority of the first quarter and increased its lead to nine points at the end of the first frame, 15-6.

In the second quarter, Ravenna's offense started to get settled in. A couple of baskets coming from senior Allyson Larson brought the game back to seven points. The knights offense seemed to sputter in the second quarter, and the bluejays took advantage by scoring a 6-0 run of its own to made it a one point game. Ravenna took a slight advantage in the second quarter scoring 12-10 and trailed at the break by seven, 25-18.

At the start of the second half, both teams halftime adjustments seemed to do the trick. Both teams played stifling defense and the offense on both sides of the court seemed to be a bit rattled. The third quarter only saw 10 total points, six in favor of the knights, four for the bluejays.

The fourth quarter was where the game saw the most action. Coming into crunch time in Aurora, the knights led by nearly ten points, 31-22. Lourdes Central Catholic led by 12 points at the height of their lead. The final quarter had moments where Ravenna tried to spark a comeback, but clutch free throws and a seven-point lead proved to be too much for Ravenna to overcome. The Lourdes Central Catholic knights won by seven, 47-40, and punched their ticket to state.

There were three players in double figures for the knights. Seniors Brianna Fulton and Emma Heng had a game-high 11 points, while sophomore Ella Welsh sat right behind them at 10 on the night.

For the Ravenna bluejays, scoring was led by sophomore Kennedy Hurt with 10 points.

Lourdes Central Catholic punches its ticket to match a few of the lucky River Country teams in the area. Syracuse, Falls City Sacred Heart, Weeping Water, and Sterling all came away with wins and will survive and advance into the next round of the post season.

For an updated list of times, match-ups, and broadcasts, keep it here on News Channel Nebraska.