LINCOLN, Neb. — Pender made sure there would be no repeat of an earlier-season defeat to Clarkson/Leigh, defeating the Patriots in emphatic fashion in the Class C-2 girls state basketball quarterfinals.

The Patriots had overcome a double-digit deficit in the January contest in Pender, but the Pendragons never relented on Thursday, rolling to a 56-37 win in the Bob Devaney Center.

Pender held a 15-14 edge after one quarter of play, but the Pendragons methodically extended that advantage in the middle quarters, outscoring the Patriots 32-16 in the second and third frames.

The Pendragons got three double-digit scoring performances, while also holding the Clarkson/Leigh leading scorer Chloe Hanel to seven points.

Seniors Lillie Timm and Olyvia Nelson scored 11 points for Pender, while junior Avery Wegner also had 11 of her own for the Pendragons. Freshman Madalyn Dolliver added nine points, including a pair of big three pointers.

Sophomore Brynn Settje paced the Patriots with eight points, including two three-pointers.

Pender moves into the semifinals for the fifth time in school history. The Pendragons reached the semifinal round four straight years from 2011 to 2014. They’ll aim for their third championship game appearance when they play GACC in the semifinals on Friday.

#2 Pender… 15 16 16 9 - 56

#7 Clarkson/Leigh… 14 10 6 7 - 37

Pender: Nelson 11, Timm 11, Wegner 11, Madalyn Dolliver 9, Maya Dolliver 7, Walsh 4, Frey 3

Clarkson/Leigh: Brynn Settje 8, Hanel 7, Baylee Settje 5, Hoffman 4, Eisenmann 3, Indra 3, Wendt 3, Kasik 2, Zulkoski 2