No. 1 seed Miller flexed its defensive muscles early on the way to a 42-33 win over No. 8 seed Ash Grove.
The Cardinals held Ash Grove to one point in the first quarter and eight total in the first half to take a 13-8 lead into the half. Out of the break, Miller get Ash Grove at arm’s length with a one-point advantage in the third quarter and three-point advantage in the fourth to secure the nine-point win.
Loghann Leivan scored a game-high 19 points for Miller including knocking down eight of 11 free throws in the second half to help Miller hold on to its lead.
Millison Sapp led Ash Grove with 12 points.
Miller advances to face No. 5 seed Blue Eye in the Walnut Grove Holiday Classic semifinals at 6 pm on Tuesday in Walnut Grove.
Ash Grove will play No. 4 seed Fordland in the consolation quarterfinals at 3 pm on Tuesday in Walnut Grove.
(1) Miller 42, (8) Ash Grove 33
Ash Grove – 1-7-9-16 – 33
Miller – 7-6-10-19 — 42
A: Millison Sapp 12, Bristol Lathrop 9, Chelsye Graham 4, Bethany Wheeler 3, Myah Johnson 3, Madison Lutz 2
M: Loghann Leivan 19, Alexis Bailey 8, Ashlynn Helton 6, Rachel Nunez 6, Kaylee Thom 3
