LADY MULES ADVANCE TO 4A TITLE GAME

COLUMBIA -- Poplar Bluff's girls basketball team needed overtime Friday night to advance to the Class 4A title game, 57-56, over Columbia Hickman (25-4).

The Lady Mules (24-3)got 20 points from sophomore point guard Ashley Williams and 12 points from sophomore guard Nicole Rivers.

Poplar Bluff outscored the Kewpies 10-9 in the overtime period. The Lady Mules trailed 26-18 going into halftime, but used a 14-7 advantage in the third quarter to crawl within 33-32 heading into the final eight minutes.

Poplar Bluff won the District 1title where it defeated Cape Girardeau Central. The Lady Tigers were one of two Missouri teams to beat the Lady Mules this season.

Poplar Bluff will take on Eureka, who beat Lee's Summit North 52-35, for the state championship.