LINCOLN — Bancroft-Rosalie hit 10 three-pointers and withstood a rally from North Platte St. Patrick’s to beat the Irish 59-53 on Wednesday night. 

The victory marked the first win at state for the Panthers as a stand-alone team since 2015 and the first overall since the BR/LD co-op in 2021.

#6 St. Patrick’s was the aggressor early in the game and built a 12-6 lead and held a 17-13 advantage after one quarter. The teams traded blows through the second quarter and most of the third. The separation came when #3 Bancroft-Rosalie hit three-straight threes to close the third quarter and build a nine-point cushion. The Irish repeatedly trimmed the deficit to three in the fourth quarter but couldn’t complete the comeback.

KJ Blackhawk of Bancroft-Rosalie stood out as the game’s difference maker. He shot 5-10 from beyond the arc and finished with 27 points.

The Panthers will face conference rival #2 Howells-Dodge in the Class D-1 semifinals on Friday.

Bancroft-Rosalie…… 13, 16, 17, 13 = 59

North Platte St. Patrick’s… 17, 9, 11, 16 = 53

Bancroft-Rosalie: Blackhawk 27, Dick 14, Browning 7, Porter 6, Wegner 3, Briggs 2

NP St. Pat’s: Heirigs 18, Kramer 13, Tickle 12, Winder 8, Connick 2