Becker came out swinging from three-point range after a quiet first half Thursday, then held off Mankato East for a 67-63 victory in the Class 3A semifinals of the girls’ basketball state tournament.

“It’s a lot different. The line [at Williams Arena] kind of messed us up, but it’s good. We were confident. We knew we would start knocking them down,” Becker junior guard Maren Westin said.  

The Bulldogs (25-4) built a 15-point lead on six three-pointers in the second half. Sophomore guard Alexis Rose led Becker with 21 points, including a three-pointer that put her team ahead 59-44.

Mankato East senior forward Lexi Karge had 13 first-half points, but she couldn’t get going early in the second half. That changed after Rose’s three-pointer. Karge scored nine second-half points to spark the Cougars (25-5) on a 16-1 run, which led to ties at 60 and 62 in the final minutes. 

Cougars senior guard Mackenzie Schweim stepped up with 17 points, and junior guard Peyton Stevermer scored 13.

Rose blunted the rally with a three-pointer for a 65-62 lead, and the Bulldogs held on. Becker advances to play for back-to-back state titles.

“We know what we’re here for,” Rose said.