The Marysville and Hiawatha girls basketball teams won thrilling games on Thursday night to advance to the Hiawatha Invitational Tournament Championship game on Saturday. 

Marysville 44, Jackson Heights 42

The Bulldogs were able to spring a big time upset over the #4 ranked team in Class 2A. The game was low scoring until the fourth quarter. 

Jackson Heights was holding on to a 26-25 lead at the end of the third quarter but the Bulldogs would outscore the Cobras 19-16 in the final eight minutes. 

The Cobras had a chance to tie or win the game at the end of regulation but the shot fell short as time expired. 

The Bulldogs were led by Bella Rader who was the KNZA player of the game as she finished with 18 points and four rebounds. Kaylee Thompson and Kanyon Olberding were the only two to score for Jackson Heights as they each poured in 21 points. 

Marysville improves to 4-8 with the win while Jackson Heights dropped to 9-3 with the loss. 

St. Marys 45, Hiawatha 47 (OT)

Just like the first game of the night, this had a thrilling finish down the stretch. The Redhawks got some key shots late and was able to hold off the Bears in overtime. 

St. Marys jumped out to the early lead and led by as many as 10 points in the first half but Hiawatha got right back into it and the game was close the entire second half. 

St. Marys got a huge three with eight seconds left from Catherine Moylan which gave the Bears a two point lead at 41-39. 

Darcy Lierz got the game into overtime for Hiawatha as she went coast to coast and got a lay up as time expired following a timeout. 

Abby Elffner was the hero in overtime for Hiawatha as she hit the game winning three in the final 15 seconds which was the final bucket of the game. St. Marys had two close range shots to tie it but were unable to convert. 

Elffner was the KNZA player of the game finishing with 12 points and the game winning shot. Lierz led Hiawatha with 18 points. 

St. Marys with the loss drops to 4-7 overall while Hiawatha improves to 6-6 with the win. 

Hiawatha and Marysville will meet up in the Championship game on Saturday at 1:30. Jackson Heights will play St. Joseph Lafayette at 10:30 AM for fifth place.