BOISE - Things were looking up for the Sandpoint Bulldogs at the end of the first half.

Sure, they trailed 25-23 to the Century Diamondbacks, but it took a buzzer beater by Sarah Holt to make it that way.

Then, as the third quarter opened, the Bulldogs went cold from the field.

And the Diamondbacks didn't.

Century (21-3) of Pocatello shot 10 of 19 in the second half, pulling away for a 60-44 win over the Bulldogs in a state 4A semifinal game at Timberline High.

"They're a good ballclub," Sandpoint coach Duane Ward said. "They're legitimately a good ballclub. They're big, and I thought we battled right with them on the boards and played good basketball. We had a couple of excellent shots in the first half and they wouldn't go down. When the ball doesn't go in the hole, it makes everything else difficult."

Sandpoint (14-9) was bidding for its first appearance in the state title game since 1996. The Bulldogs finished the game 14 of 45 from the field.

Junior guard Madi Schoening had 22 points, four steals and a blocked shot for Sandpoint.

"She's a warrior," Ward said. "She's been double teamed, and teams always put their best player on her. Whoever they put on her, they get help on defense, but Madi just competes in all different areas. She's a great defensive player, great rebounder and great slasher. She's a team player and we're very happy to have her."

Sandpoint limited Haddy Hern, who has signed to play at Montana, to six points, but was done in by 20 points from Rian Rawlings and 14 points from Holt.

"We fought hard," Schoening said. "We peaked at the right time in the season, and I'm really proud of how the team played and came together at the right time. Century's a really good team, and I was impressed with how we played and played them. We're excited for tomorrow's game."

Sandpoint faces Rigby (16-8) in today's third-place game at 10 a.m. PST.

Century 15 10 18 17 - 60

Sandpoint 11 12 3 18 - 44

CENTURY - Holt 14, Rawlings 20, Casper 8, Smoot 0, Hiller 0, Grinnell 7, Christensen 2, Packham 0, Behrend 0, Hearn 6, Hatch 3. Totals 18-38 19-24 60.

SANDPOINT - Williams 6, Schoening 22, DuMars 0, Converse 1, Robertson 0, Ward 2, Martin 8, Couch 2, Kirscher 2, Bluemer 1. Totals 14-45 14-20 44.