RAPID CITY, S.D. – Mitchell built a double-digit lead through three quarters and withstood a late rally from Rapid City Stevens to secure a 59-53 victory Saturday for fifth place at the Class AA girls basketball state tournament in Rapid City.
The Kernels controlled the game early, leading 14-9 after the first quarter and 28-20 at halftime before stretching the advantage to 46-34 entering the fourth quarter.
Addie Siemsen led Mitchell with 21 points, shooting 9-of-15 from the field, while Londyn Hajek added 12 points, including a pair of three-pointers.
Nia Talley recorded a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds, and CeCe Morgan contributed 11 points and nine rebounds as the Kernels dominated the paint with 34 points inside.
Mitchell used balanced scoring to build its lead in the third quarter. A three-pointer by Mia Larson early in the period pushed the margin to 31-20, and baskets from Siemsen and Morgan helped extend the advantage to 46-34 by the end of the quarter.
The Kernels pushed the lead to 51-35 early in the fourth after a three-pointer by Hajek and a basket from Siemsen.
Rapid City Stevens mounted a late comeback behind Mackenzie Schreiber, who finished with 16 points and four three-pointers, and Marley Seumanutafa, who added 13 points and four rebounds.
The Raiders trimmed the deficit to 55-50 with just over a minute remaining after a basket by Seumanutafa.
Mitchell responded at the free-throw line in the closing seconds, as Morgan and Hajek combined to hit key free throws to seal the victory.
Rapid City Stevens also received nine points from Haley Falcon, while Finley Love added four points and four assists.
Mitchell shot 57% from the field (22-of-38) and held Stevens to 39% shooting, helping the Kernels close out the six-point win.