St. Joseph Benton reaches invitational title game

The St. Joseph Benton girls basketball team defeated Blue Springs South 54-28 Sunday to advance to the championship of the State Farm Holiday Hoops Invitational. The Lady Cardinals play Hickman at 7 p.m. today.

Daejah Bernard racked up 17 points for St. Joseph Benton, 11 of which came from the free-throw line.

The Lady Jaguars led for the first six minutes of the game, but the Lady Cardinals responded with a 13-3 run. A buzzer-beating layup by all-state guard Mallory McAndrews doubled up Blue Springs South 28-14 at the half and capped a 7-0 run.

The Lady Jaguars were held to three points on zero field goals in the second quarter. In a Saturday win against Jefferson City, Blue Springs South failed to score a field goal for a 13-minute stretch at one point.

The Lady Jaguars shot just 25.7 percent from the floor. Cloe' Lane scored 16 points to lead Blue Springs South, and only three other players scored.

McAndrews contributed 10 points to the Lady Cardinals' win, and Timia Stillman had a game-high eight rebounds to go with her four points.

Blue Springs South, which defeated the Lady Jays 43-34 Saturday, plays Helias in the third-place game at 5:30 p.m. today at Rackers Fieldhouse.