Jasmin Bretoi might not always be the go to shooter for top-seeded Centennial, but she had the sure hand on Tuesday night.

The senior was clutch, especially from beyond the arc, scoring 19 points in Centennial's 59-41 victory against fourth-seeded Osseo at Anoka High School in the Class 4A, Section 5 semifinals.

"She is just a worker," Cougars' coach Greg Amundson said. "We can always count on her and in games like this, you need to have everyone scoring, not just your main ones."

Bretoi admitted that the start was not up to her standards, but in the second half the Cougars extended a five-point lead at the break into a comfortable ride to the section finals.

"I was a little slow to start, but felt really good in the second," Bretoi said. "It feels good to do it against the team that has knocked us out of the playoffs the last two years."

Centennial's defense was superb in the second half, limiting Osseo to only 17 points. The Orioles struggled to find the buckets it did in the first as the Cougars' intensity in their own end was too much.

"We just played a lot tighter," Bretoi said. "It was close at halftime and I think we just wanted it."

"The girls listened to what we wanted them to do," Amundson said. "I'm just really proud of them because we beat a team that we are really familiar with in our conference."

The Cougars had one of the daunting tasks of having to beat a Northwest Suburban Conference foe for the third time this season.

Not always the easiest to do, but Centennial used a strong defensive effort and kept Osseo to its lowest point total of the season.

"I think we have one of the higher scoring teams in the state, but I think we showed the we can play some defense when we have to," Amundson said. "That is what I am most proud of tonight."

The Cougars advance to play in the section championship on Friday at Anoka High School.