It wasn’t easy and not always stylish, but the Sioux Central Rebels will take it.

Playing in the state tournament for the first time, Sioux Central raced to an early lead, then fended off Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont in a hectic finish to win 52-48 and advance to the Class 2A semifinals.

Sioux Central led by 18 in the first half and by nine in the fourth quarter before the Rockets, in just their second state tournament appearance, began chipping away. They drew to 50-46 on Kate Shafer’s 3-pointer with 1:08 left and had a chance to get even closer when Shafer went to the free throw line with 49.6 seconds remaining.

But she missed both shots and Sioux Central’s Morgan Christian went 1-for-2 at the line to increase the lead to 51-46.  EBF’s Aliya Wagamon battled for an offensive rebound and scored on the putback to get the Rockets within three, but only 9.3 seconds remained. They had to foul and Christian sank another free throw to clinch it.

Avery Wilson went 5-for-7 from 3-point range in leading Sioux Central with 17 points. She also grabbed six rebounds and made two steals. Christian finished with 13 points, six assists, six steals and five rebounds, while Brandi Krager scored 12.

Molly Shafer led EBF with 18 points and Wagamon had 12 points and 12 rebounds. Ava Eastlick added eight points and Kate Shafer scored seven to go with 10 rebounds. EBF’s starting five played the entire game. Sioux Central used only six players.

Sioux Central showed no signs of state tournament jitters in a sizzling start. The Rebels made 11 of 15 shots in the first quarter, including 4-of-5 from deep, it building a 26-10 lead. They increased the lead to 32-16 before EBF finished the half with six straight points to draw to 32-22 at the break.

The Rockets began the second half with two straight baskets to cut the lead to 32-26 and they trailed just 47-43 when Wagamon hit a short jumper with 2:25 to play. Wilson knocked down a 3 less than a minute later and that ended up providing the cushion the Rebels needed to hold on.

Sioux Central, which has lost only to Class 1A power Newell-Fonda, will take a 23-1 record against top-seeded Dike-New Hartford at 10 a.m. Friday. Dike-New Hartford has won the last three state championships.

EBF, which also lost in the first round last year, finished 23-2 and will have four starters coming back.