Jefferson City coach Mark Anderson is already tired of talking about the Jays' long losing streak in the first round of the Joe Machens Great 8 Classic.
And it appeared his chance to put a stop to it was slipping away early in the fourth quarter of Thursday night's game against Hopkinsville, Ky.
A 10-point lead dwindled to four a few minutes into the final quarter, but a Michael Appiah-Brefo block led to a transition layup for Sterling DeSha and the Jays locked down on defense to win 57-52 at Fleming Fieldhouse.
"You kind of thought about the ghost of Christmas past with our history here," Anderson said. "We made plays when we needed to."
It's the first time since 2009 the Jays will play in the winner's bracket semifinals.
"It's nice to be on the right side of the bracket," Anderson said.
Ben Folz knocked in a 3-pointer from the top of the key in the final seconds of the third quarter for a 49-39 lead.
Then the Tigers began their run.
D'Evan Williams made back-to-back second-chance baskets and James Nicholas completed the 6-0 spurt with a pair of free throws with 4:44 remaining following a Jays traveling violation.
Less than a minute later, Appiah-Brefo slapped a Tiger shot attempt into the hands of Brennan Jeffries, who passed it up to DeSha for a layup.
"I'm really proud of the effort tonight and how we stuck together and withstood their run, which we knew was coming at some point," Anderson said.
Hopkinsville only managed a free throw, a Nicholas 2-point basket and a late 3-pointer by Nicholas in the final four minutes.
After Jeffries made two free throws in a one-and-one situation to make it 57-49 with :29.8 on the clock, Jefferson City held tough on defense and didn't let the Tigers get a shot off until there was about four seconds remaining.
After Nicholas made his 3-pointer to finish with a game-high 22 points, the Jays were able to just inbound the ball and run out the clock.
"Nicholas had a great game but I thought Ben Folz did a great job on him to limit him and make his baskets come tough," Anderson said.
Appiah-Brefo, a 6-foot-5 forward, also stepped out on the perimeter to help defend Nicholas.
"It's nice to have a big kid that can get out and do that," Anderson said of Appiah-Brefo, who scored 10 points.
Jeffries made 6-of-7 at the free-throw line on his way to a team-high 16 points for the Jays. Folz and Ryan Brooks each scored 12 points.
"I think he's playing with confidence," Anderson said of Brooks, the Jays' 6-4 forward. "Give some credit to coach (Tony) Phillips who's been a great addition to our staff who has really worked on technique and foot work and things like that with Ryan. He's a completely different player than what he was last year. Some of that might just be maturity and being a senior. He's been great for us all season."
Brooks was assigned to defend Hopkinsville big man Jamarion Sharp, who stands a towering 7-2. Sharp was held to two rebounds and 0-for-1 shooting in limited action.
"He was physical with the big kid inside," Anderson said. "Ryan did a great job of pushing him off his spots and making it tough. Just a great effort."
Jefferson City (6-3) will face Kettering Fairmont (Ohio) at 8:30 p.m. today in the semifinals.
"We've got a lot of film on on Fairmont," Anderson said. "No matter what side of the bracket you're on you're going to play a good team."