AUSTIN – Cy-Fair’s girls basketball team has its chance at redemption.

The Bobcats defeated Converse Wagner 60-41 in a 5A state semifinal Friday afternoon at the Frank Erwin Center, earning a return to the state championship game Saturday and an attempt to win the title they lost last year in overtime to Rockwall.

The Bobcats will play DeSoto in the state final at 8:30 p.m.

"We definitely aren't here because anybody let us be here," Nneka Ogwumike said. "We've definitely gone through a tough road. And it's a phenomenal feeling to go through this again."

Cy-Fair (38-2) got off to a fast start, leading 28-11 after one quarter and 42-21 at halftime. Chiney Ogwumike had a game-high 20 points and 12 rebounds; Nneka Ogwumike added 16 points.

"We knew they were going to come out hard and had to be good because they are here at the state tournament," Nneka Ogwumike said. "We just kept our composure and tried not to rush it.

Cy-Fair's starting five contributed 15 points in the first four minutes. The Ogwumike sisters combined scored 18 points from the paint, and Mansa El and Megan Daniel each hit a three.

The second quarter was just as impressive as the first. Cy-Fair scored another 14 for a 21 point lead at the half. Nneka Ogwumike dropped in a three to begin a 10-point run at mid-quarter.

"We were able to drive the lane and create opportunities because of our full court defense," Cy-Fair coach Ann Roubique said. "Our guards did a great job tonight of knocking some down and forcing their defense to spread out a little bit.

Wagner (36-2) came out in the third and held Cy-Fair to six points while they scored nine. Chiney Ogwumike scored the Bobcats' six points with three baskets. Wagner's Jessica Sommers sank a three at the buzzer.

"It was a 19-point game, but it was not a 19-point game on the court," Roubique said. "It was intense from the beginning to the end. They never quit and they had an opportunity in the third quarter because we certainly didn't come out on fire like we did in the first quarter."

The Bobcats racked up the points in the fourth to get the win as the championship was in sight. The win ended Wagner’s 32-game winning streak.

"I think experience has a lot to do with it," Cy-Fair's Megan Majewski said. "We were confident to come out and play in a big arena and we know how to play in front of a big crowd, so that experience definitely helped."

"I'm very fortunate and blessed with talent," Roubique said. "It's amazing how good of a coach you become when you have the talent that I have at Cy-Fair right now."

Sajoyia Griffin led Wagner with 11 points. Sommers added 10 and BreAnna Brock was held to eight.

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