JACKSON, Mo. -- The Poplar Bluff girls basketball team will play for the consolation title at the SEMO Conference Tournament after beating Kennett 54-38 Tuesday at Saxony Lutheran High School.
The Mules (2-1) jumped out to a 14-3 lead after one quarter a day after losing 65-39 to Notre Dame in the quarterfinals.
"Definitely more under control, did a better job of executing," Poplar Bluff coach John David Pattillo said.
Kiley Bess scored 10 of her 23 points in the first half to lead the Mules. Shelby Sievers had four of her six points in the opening quarter when Poplar Bluff took control. Doni Everts added 12 points, half in the second quarter.
The Mules, who led 30-14 at halftime, finished 8 for 11 at the free-throw line while Kennett sank just 6 of 23 foul shots.
Poplar Bluff, the fifth seed, will play sixth-seeded Cape Central, a 61-38 winner over Sikeston, at 5:30 p.m. Thursday in the consolation final.