Push, push, push. Don’t ever walk. 

That’s the credo Maranatha used to average 87 points per game this season and earn its sixth consecutive state tournament berth. 

Despite a cold shooting day, that approach worked again for the top-seeded Mustangs in their 65-50 victory over Stephen-Argyle in the Class 1A quarterfinal Thursday at Mariucci Arena.

The Mustangs, who outscored opponents by an average of 27 points per game this year, jumped out to early 19-2 lead and appeared to be on their way to another blowout. But the Storm went on a 17-0 run to pull within six points early in the second half.

“I wasn’t really (concerned),” said Mustangs senior guard Lexi Lee, who scored 18 points and had six steals. “I just made sure to tell my teammates to push harder and get back to (playing) up-tempo.”

The Mustangs’ trapping full-court press defense never relented and forced the Storm into 28 turnovers. 

After losing in the quarterfinals the last two years the Mustangs want to keep pushing.

“We don’t want to lose,” said Lee. “The feeling that we had last year. We talk about how that felt and we don’t want to feel that feeling again. So that’s our motivation.”

Lexi Lee scored 18 points to lift top-seeded Maranatha to a 65-50 victory over Stephen-Argyle on Thursday in the Class 1A quarterfinals at Mariucci Arena.

The Mustangs' full-court press defense forced 28 turnovers and held the Storm to shoot 30 percent from the floor.

Maranatha opened the game with a 19-2 run and appeared to be on their way to a blowout. But the Storm ripped off a 17-0 run to pull within six points early in the second half.

Check back later for more on the game.