CONCORDIA -- There may be no hotter boys' basketball team in the Class 2, District 8 Tournament field than Slater.

The Wildcats came from behind again Tuesday for their fifth straight win, a 61-58 decision over host St. Paul of Concordia -- senior Aric Falls making four straight free throws during the final 1:05 to pull out the victory.

Slater was hitting from outside effectively throughout the night, making eight of 14 shots from three-point range -- three by junior Zach Calhoun. Yet, the Saints went into the fourth quarter with a three-point lead.

Senior Andrew Lemmons converted a conventional three-point play to give St. Paul a 56-54 lead with under two minutes remaining, but then missed the front end of a one-and-one following senior Austin Foster's driving scoop shot and free throw with 1:20 to go.

After Falls' first set from the line, the Saints cut the margin to one on a pair of charity shots by senior Michael Hemme. The 'Cats turned the ball over, but Lemmons couldn't hit the jumper, the Purple got the ball back and Falls sank two more from the stripe with 5.3 seconds left. The last-second three-point try by Lemmons was off the mark.

Sophomore Jordan Bredehoeft led the Saints (8-16) with 16 points, with Lemmons adding 13.

Falls' 18 points, nine rebounds and five steals paced Slater (11-15), with senior Kyle Durham contributing 16 points. The 'Cats will take on the No. 1 seed, sixth-ranked Concordia, in today's semifinal round.

Santa Fe 54, Northwest 21

CONCORDIA -- Santa Fe had little problem disposing of Northwest of Hughesville during a 54-21 victory Tuesday in the first round of the Class 2, District 8 Tournament.

The Chiefs opened the game with a 16-2 run and, after it seemed the Mustangs had stopped the bleeding, came out of the break with a 20-6 spree to take a 30-point spread into the fourth quarter -- played under the "continuous clock" rule.

Junior Colter Young and senior Austin Blackburn accounted for 15 of the 21 points scored Northwest (6-18).

Senior Kenzie Thorp had the hot hand for Santa Fe, downing four three-pointers en route to 16 points. Junior Darin Buford had 10 points, his top tally since returning from a season-long injury two weeks ago.

The Chiefs (15-9) will play Fayette in today's semifinal round.

Fayette 76, Sweet Springs 74

CONCORDIA -- Sweet Springs cut an 11-point fourth-quarter deficit to two with a minute remaining, but hit the wall there Tuesday as Fayette won a first-round tilt in the Class 2, District 8 Tournament, 76-74.

The game was close throughout until junior Ryan Sherman hit three shots earlier in the final frame for the Falcons. However, senior Travis Hinck had nine points down the stretch to get the Greyhounds within striking range.

Sweet Springs twice had the margin whittled to two points, but turned the ball over on three of its final four possessions and could not get off a potential game-tying or -winning shot after getting the ball back with four seconds to go.

Sherman racked up 26 points and junior Xavien Crump had 17 for Fayette (10-15).

Hinck and sophomore Billy Martin each scored 15 points for the 'Hounds (8-17).

Hardin-Central 93, Malta Bend 67

NORBORNE -- Hardin-Central got off to a flying start, scoring at least 30 points during each of the first two periods, to dismiss Malta Bend from the Class 1, District 7 Tournament at Norborne with Tuesday's 93-67 victory.

Senior Ethan Burk and junior Chris Herring each nailed a pair of three-pointers during the Bulldogs' 30-19 first quarter. Herring hit two more threes during the second period to extend the lead to 22 points at the break.

Burk finished with a game-high 26 points and junior Patrick King had 22 for Hardin-Central (15-9), which meets Tina-Avalon in the semifinal round Thursday.

Sophomore Tyler Armstrong drained five treys en route to 24 points for the Tigers (6-15), who also got 19 points from sophomore Tim Trelow.