Freshman point guard Nicole McDermott plays with the poise of a senior and she's a big reason Cascade is headed for the state semifinals.

McDermott scored 18 points and hit two key free throws in the final seconds to help the eighth-ranked Cougars beat No. 3 Central Decatur 59-56 to complete the first round in Class 2A.

Cascade handed Central Decatur its first loss of the season and draws another unbeaten in the next round. The Cougars will take on second-ranked Treynor at 3:15 p.m. Thursday.

McDermott, who came in averaging 10.9 points, shot 6-for-9 from the field, grabbed five rebounds and made six steals. Abbie Ruggeberg added 13 points for the Cougars and Jordan Simon scored 10.

Raegan Boothe's 16 points and nine rebounds led Central Decatur, which relied on its 3-point shooting to build a nine-point lead early in the second half. Lily Simon added 15 points and Alli Masters scored 13. Boothe made four 3-pointers, including a couple from beyond the NBA arc, and Simon hit three from long range.

After jumping to an early 7-0 lead, Cascade found itself trailing 41-33 midway through the third quarter. But the Cougars weren't behind much longer.

They rattled off the next 11 points to take a 44-41 lead, then held on despite some shaky free throw shooting down the stretch.

Boothe made two of three free throws after being fouled on a 3-point shot to tie the score at 56-all with 22.4 seconds remaining. Lisa Tucker put Cascade back ahead with a free throw and, after a turnover, McDermott dropped in two from the line for the final three-point lead.

Ruggeberg then blocked a Central Decatur 3-point shot just before the final buzzer.

Cascade, in the tournament for the fourth time in five years, moves on with a 23-2 record. Central Decatur finishes 24-1