SPRINGFIELD - The Helias Crusaders led by as many as eight points early in the third quarter Friday, but the Raytown Bluejays battled back to win 52-47 in the semifinals of the Arvest Classic at Parkview.
Helias trailed 11-8 after one quarter and trailed by as many as six points in the second quarter, but Colby LeCuru scored a basket just before the buzzer to give the Crusaders a 22-20 lead at halftime.
Helias led 31-23 in the third after four straight free throws by Marcus Anthony, but after a Raytown timeout, the Bluejays ended the quarter on 13-3 run to retake the lead 36-34 heading into the fourth quarter.
The Crusaders never got any closer than two points the rest of the way, despite the Bluejays making just 5-of-12 free throws in the final eight minutes.
Anthony led the Crusaders with 16 points. Isaac Johnson added seven points, while LeCuru had six points. Malcolm Davis chipped in five points.
Cortez Howell led Raytown with 17 points and Aaron Franklin added 13 points in the win.
Helias (1-1) will play Lafayette: Wildwood in the third-place game at 2 p.m. today.