Emma Chapman's layup with :27.1 remaining proved to be the difference Thursday night as the Hickman Kewpies edged the Poplar Bluff Mules 41-40 in the opening round of the State Farm Holiday Hoops Invitational at Rackers Fieldhouse.
Poplar Bluff led by 10 points at 38-28 in the opening minute of the fourth quarter after a short jumper by Hannah Corcimiglia. But soon after, Poplar Bluff leading scorer Kiley Bess went to the bench with an apparent ankle injury and Hickman began its comeback.
The Kewpies rattled off nine unanswered points in the next 3:30 to cut the deficit to one at 39-38.
Bess then returned to the lineup and scored on a layup to make it 40-37 with 2:50 to go.
Chapman hit a basket to bring Hickman's deficit back to one at 40-39 with 1:02 to play. Poplar Bluff missed the front end of a pair of one-and-ones at the free throw line in the final minute and Chapman scored what proved to be the game-winner after the second miss.
The Mules closed the first quarter on a 9-0 run in the final minute - all on 3-pointers - to take a 19-10 advantage.
A pair of free throws by Bess gave the Mules a 28-22 lead at the half.
Poplar Bluff led by as many as 10 points in the third quarter, that coming at 36-26.
Maci Kutcha scored a game-high 19 points for Hickman. Chapman, who will play at Kansas State next season, finished with 16 points and seven rebounds.
Bess, a junior guard, totaled 18 points to lead Poplar Bluff (2-7).
Hickman (4-5) will face Jefferson City (10-0) in the semifinals at 5:30 p.m. today, while Poplar Bluff (2-7) will take on Blue Springs South (5-4) in a loser's bracket contest at 2:30 p.m.