The Hickman Kewpies hit 12 free throws in the last 2:38 to outlast St. Joseph Benton 50-46 in a State Farm Holiday Hoops Invitational semifinal Saturday evening at Rackers Fieldhouse.
Tied at 38 late in the fourth quarter, Jordan Matthews hit a pair of free throws to give Hickman a lead it wouldn't relinquish. It was all free throws the rest of the way for Hickman. Matthews added seven more foul shots while Kendahl Adams chipped in with three to help the Kewpies pull away late.
After Hickman went up 46-40 with 1:13 left, Benton was able to cut the deficit to 49-46 with 13 seconds left on a putback from Lucy Mollett. A free throw from Adams sealed the deal.
Benton led 11-7 after one quarter before Hickman took a 20-14 advantage into halftime.
It was the Mallory McAndrews Show in the third quarter, as the Benton junior tallied 18 of her game-high 24 points in the frame. The Lady Cardinal guard knocked down 5-of-6 attempts from beyond the arc in the quarter, and added a trio of free throws after being fouled on a 3-point attempt. That handed Benton a 34-31 edge heading into the final period.
Matthews led Hickman with 17 points, while Adams added 12.
Hickman (8-0) will face Blue Springs South in today's 6 p.m. championship at Rackers Fieldhouse. Benton (5-1) faces Jefferson City in a third-place game at 4:30 p.m.