North Polk is advancing in the state tournament after yet another close call at Wells Fargo Arena.

Fayth Sullivan hit a go-ahead 3-pointer with 1:36 left and teammate Jada Podey came up with two keys steals in the final 25 seconds as the second-seeded Comets held on to beat seventh-seeded Sioux Center 47-45 in Class 4A play.

North Polk (23-2) now has played four straight games at state decided by no more than seven points and this was the second two-point game in that stretch. Next up is a semifinal game 6:45 p.m. Thursday, the third straight year the Comets have reached this stage.

Sullivan, who comes off the bench, led North Polk’s balanced scoring with 13 points, including three 3-pointers. Campbell Schulz and Abby Tuttle each scored 12 for the Comets, with Tuttle adding 10 rebounds and five assists.  Becca Aagard, the team’s 6-foot-3 center, also played a big role, grabbing 10 rebounds, blocking nine shots and scoring six points.

Maryn Franken led Sioux Center (21-3) with 19 points and 11 rebounds. Makailyn Vander Waal and Amirah Bleeker each scored nine points for the Warriors, while Margo Schuiteman added seven points and 11 rebounds.

North Polk looked to be in control after scoring 12 straight points to open a 40-32 late in the third quarter. But Sioux Center crawled back into it and a 10-2 run spanning the final quarter break lifted the Warriors into 45-44 lead, Schuiteman capping the burst by flipping in a shot over Aagard with 2:02 left. But that would be Sioux Center’s final basket.

Sullivan answered with her 3 from the top of the key to make it 47-45 and the game finished with missed opportunities on both sides.

Aagard’s block on Franken gave North Polk a chance to secure the victory, but the Comets gave up the ball on a shot clock violation with 34 seconds left. Podey stole it back 9 seconds later, but the Comets coughed it up on a turnover with 16 seconds remaining.