The Jefferson City Lady Jays did enough.
"We hit some big shots when we needed to, we got some big rebounds when we needed to, we knocked down some free throws when we had to," Lady Jays coach Brad Conway said Thursday after Jefferson City topped the Blue Springs South Jaguars 45-39 in the semifinals of the State Farm Holiday Hoops Invitational at Rackers Fieldhouse.
"Every game is still a learning experience for us, but the kids have stepped up big time."
With the win, Jefferson City (10-0) advances to take on Hickman (9-0) in the championship game at 7 p.m. today. The Lady Jays are ranked No. 4 in Class 5 in the latest poll by the Missouri Basketball Coaches Association, two spots behind Hickman.
Hickman advanced with a 54-45 win against St. Joseph Benton in Thursday's second semifinal in a matchup of teams that have split decisions in the last two Invitational title games.
It will be Jefferson City's first appearance in the Invitational title game since a loss to Rock Bridge in 2008.
Jefferson City never trailed Thursday, but never held a lead that felt all that comfortable.
The Lady Jays took a 9-5 advantage into the second quarter, then stretched their lead to 22-14 at the half. The spread could have been bigger as Blue Springs South was just 4-of-29 from the field in the opening two quarters.
"We didn't do a very good job taking advantage of that," Conway said. "I think we played OK defensively, but we were giving up too many second-chance opportunities."
Tiffany Davenport of the Jaguars hit a pair of 3-pointers early in the third quarter to cut Jefferson City's lead to 23-20.
But the Lady Jays answered by closing the quarter with a 12-0 run in the last 4:37 to take a 35-20 lead into the final period.
Up by 15 with eight minutes to play, Conway still wasn't comfortable.
"We know they have some good shooters and they could get hot at any time," Conway said.
The Jaguars indeed did get hot. After making just six field goals through the first three quarters, they hit seven in the fourth.
A three-point play by Naia Tauai pulled Blue Springs South to within four at 36-32 with 5:45 to play, then Myranda Abarca drilled a 3-pointer with 2:58 to play make it 38-37.
"That was a pretty good run for them," Conway said. "We were barely able to hang on, it was kind of a gut check for us."
McKenzie Gourley and Caitlin Anderson each hit two free throws for the Lady Jays in the ensuing :50 to push Jefferson City's lead back to five at 42-37.
The closest the Jaguars would get the rest of the way was three points.
"It was a group of runs in the second half," Conway said.
Anderson tossed in a game-high 20 points for Jefferson City, including an 8-of-10 performance at the line. Sydney Crockett added 13.
Jefferson City finished with 28 turnovers in the contest.
"Our ball security wasn't very good tonight and that's something we need to continue to work on," Conway said.
Tauai had 14 points for Blue Springs South, ranked No. 6 in Class 5, while Davenport added 12.
Blue Springs South will play Benton in the third-place game at 5:30 p.m. today.