View highlights from Benton’s victory over Owensville.

The Benton girls’ basketball team will play for its second state championship in school history as they were able to defeat Owensville 37-25 in their Class 4 semifinal Friday inside Mizzou Arena in Columbia.

The Cardinals improve to 30-0 on the season and they’ll play MICDS (25-4) in the state title game at 6:20 p.m. Saturday at the University of Missouri.

Benton trailed 7-5 midway through the first quarter, but Deajah Bernard scored nine of her team-high 13 points in the first as they Cards led 11-8 after one and they never trailed again.

BHS couldn’t put the Dutchgirls away until the fourth quarter as Benton led 16-14 at halftime and 25-20 after three quarters. They used a 10-2 run to start the fourth and Owensville never made a serious run at the Cardinals.

Benton allowed only two second half field goals and they forced Owensville into 22 turnovers in the game.

Bernard led the Cardinals with 13, while Kylee Williams added 11.

Benton has only played for one state championship as they defeated Farmington in 2007 for their only title in school history. Saturday’s game with MICDS will be broadcast on 680 KFEQ or you can click here to listen.