Two big plays in the final 12 seconds secured Minneota’s chance to defend its state title.

The Vikings edged Goodhue 45-43 in Friday’s Class 1A state tournament semifinal at Williams Arena, breaking open a late tie with outstanding individual efforts. The game featured Minneota, the top seed in Class 1A, against the Wildcats, ranked No. 1 in the final Minnesota Basketball News poll of the season.

Junior guard Taylor Reiss stole the ball on a Goodhue inbound attempt and went end-to-end for a layup and 43-41 lead. She also drew a foul, putting her at the free-throw line with 12.3 seconds to go and a chance to protect her team from a Goodhue three-pointer.

It didn’t happen.

“Right as it came off my hand I knew I was going to miss so I just thought, ‘Get back on defense,’ ” Reiss said.

She turned back just in time to see Megan Larson corral the rebound and put back the clinching points.

Larson said she slipped in behind a Goodhue player “and tried my hardest to get that rebound.” 

Her play gave Minneota a 45-41 lead with nine seconds remaining. Goodhue scored at the buzzer but its fate was unchanged.

The Wildcats led 41-39 with 1:44 to go as senior guard Mikayla Miller scored the last of her game-high 25 points.

Emily Stienessen tied the game with a pair of free throws. Goodhue got the ball and called timeout with 16.6 seconds to go.

Hoping to take a lead, Goodhue instead watched Reiss, who scored her team’s first six points and finished with 16 points and 11 rebounds, grab the ball and head down the court.

DAVID LA VAQUE

With the score tied, Goodhue had the ball under its own basket with a chance to take the lead late in the second half and possibly upend defending Class 1A champion Minneota on Friday at Williams Arena.

But the Vikings' Taylor Reiss tipped and stole an inbounds pass, raced to the other end of the court and scored on a layup with 12 seconds left. The play proved decisive in a 45-43 victory that lifted the top-seeded Minneota into Saturday's championship game.

Check back later for more on the game.