TIPTON - Playing for the first time in 12 days, the Tipton Lady Cardinals returned to the court Wednesday to beat the Russellville Lady Indians 62-32 in the semifinals of the Tipton Tournament.
Tipton, the No. 1 seed, received a first-round bye in the seven-team tournament.
Russellville led 4-2, then Tipton scored the next 11 points to lead 15-7 at the end of the first quarter. The Lady Cardinals continued to hold a 29-16 advantage at halftime and stretched the lead to 48-26 entering the fourth quarter.
Charlee Bailey was one of four Tipton players to score in double figures, leading the way with 20 points. Myra Claas finished with 12 points, followed by Kenna Bixler with 11 points and Briar Cox with 10.
Camie Grayson led Russellville with 12 points and Hallee Stewart added 10 points and eight rebounds.
Tipton (2-0), ranked No. 4 in Class 3, will host second-seeded Capital City for the championship game at 5 p.m. Saturday.
Russellville (2-2), the No. 4 seed, will take on third-seeded New Bloomfield in the third-place game at 2 p.m. Saturday.