With the lead gone and momentum turning, Clear Lake's Sara Faber did what leaders do. She put the team on her back and carried it into the semifinals of the Class 3A state tournament.
Faber scored 24 points, including 11 straight during a key stretch in the second half, and second-seeded Clear Lake turned back No. 7 seed Davenport Assumption 60-46 to finish the opening day of the 2020 tournament.
Assumption had trailed throughout the game before rallying to take a 27-25 lead with 5:06 left in the third quarter. That's when Faber began attacking the basket and the tide turned.
The 5-foot-8 senior, who'll play at Wartburg next season, drove into the lane to hit two straight runners, then stole the ball and was fouled as she made a layup. She hit the free throw to complete the three-point play but still wasn't finished. She drove for another bucket, then made a free throw to put the Lions up 35-27 and in the lead for good.
After an Assumption free throw, Darby Dodd stepped up for the Lions, knocking down two long 3-pointers from the left wing and banking in a layup after stealing the ball. All of that added up to an 18-1 run that gave the Lions a 43-28 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
Assumption ended up going 11 minutes between field goals and never recovered.
Natalie Moore led Assumption with 17 points -- 13 in the second half. Dawsen Dorsey and Corey Whitlock each scored seven for the Knights, who made the tournament for the 16th time and have won four state championships.
Dodd finished with 10 points and eight rebounds for Clear Lake, which shot 50 percent over the final three quarters after going 4-for-20 from the field in the opening quarter. The Lions will take a 23-2 record into a semifinal game at 3:15 on Thursday.
Assumption, which plays a schedule laden with 5A and 4A teams, finishes 16-8.