A big advantage in free throws helped Treynor stay alive in the Class 2A tournament.

 

The second-ranked Cardinals got 18 points from Konnor Sudmann, knocked down 26 of 37 free throws and remained unbeaten with a 60-54 victory over 10th-ranked Van Meter.

 

Van Meter went just 4-for-7 at the line but stayed in contention by making 10 3-pointers. McKenzie Roberts had three of those long-range baskets and led the Bulldogs with 20 points.

 

Sudmann sank all 12 of her free throws and handed out four assists. Madelyn Deitchler added 15 points for Treynor, which picked up 19 points off turnovers. Abby Tiarks scored 10 for the Cardinals and Kayla Chapman had nine, plus a couple of key plays on the defensive end in the final 90 seconds.

 

Emily Roberts added 11 points for Van Meter and CJ Jones scored 10.

 

Treynor fell behind 9-2 before getting on track. A 17-2 run propelled the Cardinals into a 29-19 lead late in the first half and they never trailed again, though they had to fend off the feisty Bulldogs until the end.

 

The Cardinals were clinging to a 54-52 lead when Van Meter missed a 3-point shot. Chapman grabbed the rebound and got the ball to Sudmann, who fed Tiarks for a layup that she turned into a three-point play and a 57-52 lead.

 

Chapman then came up with a steal and Deitchler sank a free throw to make it 58-52 with 46.2 seconds remaining. That was enough for the Cardinals to hold on. 

 

Treynor will take a 26-0 record into a semifinal game at 3:15 p.m. Thursday. Van Meter, in the tournament for the first time since 2001, finishes 21-4.

 

This was career victory number 709 for Treynor coach Gail Hartigan, who is the state leader in victories among active coaches.