ST. JAMES - The rubber match was the game that counted the most.
The Blair Oaks Lady Falcons and the St. James Lady Tigers split their regular-season contests. The third matchup determined which team would continue its season.
The Lady Falcons dropped 22 points on the Lady Tigers in the third quarter, overcoming a nine-point halftime deficit to win 50-45 in Wednesday's Class 4 District 9 semifinal game.
Blair Oaks (15-10), the No. 3 seed, advances to play top-seeded Fatima (19-7) in the championship game at 6 p.m. Friday in Owensville. The Lady Comets won their regular-season meeting 49-40 in Wardsville.
Wednesday's victory extended Blair Oaks' winning streak to nine games. The loss snapped an 11-game winning streak for St. James.
The Lady Tigers had control in the first quarter, leading the Lady Falcons 19-10 after eight minutes. Each team scored 10 points in the second quarter, leading to a 29-20 halftime score.
Blair Oaks outscored St. James by 15 points in the third quarter, turning the game around and taking a 42-36 lead into the fourth quarter.
Mallorie Fick led the Lady Falcons with 19 points and Alyssa Hargus added 14 points.
In the regular season, Blair Oaks defeated St. James 54-52 in December on a shot at the buzzer. The Lady Tigers returned the favor the following month in the Comet Classic with a 67-39 win.
St. James ends its season with a 19-6 record.