While they did not win a state championship, the St. James Lady Tigers did end their girls basketball season with a victory.
Playing in the MSHSAA Class 3 third-place game, St. James cruised past North Tech 65-44 last Friday at Mizzou Arena in Columbia.
With the win, St. James matched its best-ever finish of third. The Lady Tigers also placed third in Class 4 in 2004 and 2005.
The Lady Tigers (26-5) lost last Thursday in the semifinals to Cameron, 68-53.
St. Charles Lutheran (28-4) captured the Class 3 state crown with an 80-68 victory Saturday over Cameron (20-12).
The difference in the third-place game came in the second and third quarters, where St. James outscored North Tech by a combined margin of 32-14.
The Lady Tigers, coached by Terry Wells, held leads of 15-12 after one quarter, 32-20 at halftime and 47-26 after three quarters.
MJ Buschmann finished the game with 21 points, seven rebounds and three steals for St. James.
Ashlee Marlatt added 19 points, four rebounds and three assists. She was 4-7 from three-point range.
Alexis Uffman collected seven points, six assists, five steals and five rebounds.
Corinne Anselm registered six points, three rebounds and two assists.
Alison McDowell had six points and four rebounds.
Shauna Rinehart netted three points. Emma Rogers added two points and two rebounds.
Taylour Rinehart scored one point. Hannah Perona had two assists.
St. James shot 36 percent from the field, including 6-25 from three-point range. The Lady Tigers were 13-20 from the free-throw line.
North Tech (20-8), which defeated Hermann 65-62 in the sectional round, received 13 points and nine rebounds from Khalia Miller.
Viviana Carter added 12 points, 14 rebounds and five steals.
Anjanee Miller had 10 points and 12 rebounds.
North Tech shot 29 percent from the field, including 1-9 from three-point range. The Golden Eagles were 11-17 from the foul line.
St. James was outrebounded 48-32, but forced 28 turnovers.
