For Straughn Lady Tigers coach Scott Kinsaul, his team’s 45-41 win over Luverne Thursday night was a “typical first round match up.”

“Luverne really played well,” Kinsaul said. “They were playing the best they have played all year against us. It was a real good team effort by them (Thursday night).

“We were down six points at the end of the first quarter and down eight at halftime,” he said. “We scored 22 points in the third quarter and were leading by seven to start the fourth. Then, we just held on for the win.”

Kinsaul added it was good to see the team put out a good effort.

“It was just a real good basketball game and I was real proud with the way the girls didn’t give up and didn’t panic,” he said. “They came out and our defense took over in the third and got the victory.”

The Lady Tigers (22-5) will play Calhoun tonight for the area championship game at 7 p.m. in Straughn.

Kinsaul said shooting and rebounding are a must tonight.

“Just like the other two times we’ve played them, we’ve got to shoot the ball well and rebounding is going to be real hard for us,” Kinsaul said. “The last time we played them we actually tied them in rebounds. If we can get that kind of effort again then we’ll be fine. We’ve got to have a good solid defensive effort and we need to knock down some shots, particularly some threes.”