For the second straight game at the OHSAA Girls Basketball State Tournament, the third quarter was the deciding factor in a game.

Mason went on a 14-0 run, opening a 38-20 lead, on the way to a 54-35 victory over Massillon Jackson in the first Division I state semifinal.

It was the Polar Bears that were the early aggressors, taking a 15-12 lead early in the second quarter. The Comets settled in, though, and found themselves up 22-18 at the break.

But it was Mason’s 20-7 third quarter advantage that really opened things up. The Comets only turned the ball over three times, and got an outstanding performance from senior McDonald’s All-American, Kyla Oldacre. She scored a game-high 21 points and pulled down 19 rebounds. Just as impressive, the six-foot-six center brought the ball up court several times.

Freshman Madison Parrish chipped in 12, with six assists, while Jackson’s Emma Dretke was the top scorer for the Polar Bears with 13.

The Comets play in the third was similar to Waterford in the second Division IV semifinal, which outscored Buckeye Central 21-7, thanks to a 17-0 run.

Mason hopes to ride the momentum of ending Mount Notre Dame’s 98-game winning streak—the second longest in OHSAA history—to a second-ever state championship, with the first coming in 2000.

The Division I championship tips at 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, and can be seen on Spectrum News 1 and the Spectrum News App. OHSAA Championship Gameday begins at 8:15 p.m., and is hosted by MaryLee Melendez and Dave Cecutti.