ROSS TWP — Both Freeport and Belle Vernon didn't reach the offensive standard they established during the regular season.

But the Yellowjackets managed enough to advance from Monday's WPIAL Class 4A girls basketball first round playoff.

After struggling with free throws through the first three quarters, Freeport scored 10 of its 14 points in the final period from the line in a 44-38 victory at North Hills Middle School.

Over the first 24 minutes of the game, the 'Jackets were just eight of 17 in free throws.

“Making free throws at the end was key,” said Freeport coach Fred Soilis. “Had we made more throughout the game, we could've scored 10 more points than we did.

“We knew they had gritty girls, quick and tough,” said Soilis of the Leopards. “But we believed our defense could slow them down. We worked on a lot of things in practice, but stayed with man defense because it worked.”

While Freeport led for much of the game, it was never able to push its advantage to greater than six points. It seemed as though that would come back to haunt the 'Jackets.

Belle Vernon's Rachel Wobrak blocked a shot at one end of the court and drove for a bucket at the other to cut her team's deficit to 35-34 with 3:25 left in the game.

Madeline Clark answered for Freeport with a basket at 2:55. It would be the 'Jackets' final field goal of the game, but they drained seven free throws down the stretch to keep the Leopards at bay.

“We prepared for their dribble-drives,” Leopards' coach Ron Drennen said of Freeport. “I thought we did a good job for the most part, but we couldn't get the big stops when we needed them.”

Belle Vernon held its last lead (25-24) following a 3-pointer from Wobrak with 4:42 remaining in the third quarter. Freeport rebounded to lead by four entering the fourth period.

Freeport (17-6) scored just seven points in the first 5:41 of the fourth, all of them coming from Madeline Clark.

Belle Vernon (16-7), which struggled with turnovers and poor shooting throughout the game, was unable to take advantage. Wobrak and Jenna Dawson both scored 10 points to lead an offense that made just 29 percent (12 of 41) of its shot attempts.

“We fought tonight,” said Drennen, “but I think our youth showed. We just couldn't capitalize on Freeport's missed shots.”

“We knew they had gritty girls, quick and tough,” said Soilis of the Leopards. “But we believed our defense could slow them down. We worked on a lot of things in practice, but stayed with man defense because it worked.”

While it scored more than 10 points below its average, Freeport's points were spread out. Clark scored 13 to lead the way, Sidney Shemanski added 12 and Melaina DeZort 10.

“Balanced scoring is the key,” Soilis said. “If we get that, we're tough to defend.”

The 'Jackets advance to the quarterfinals where they will take on undefeated and second-seeded Southmoreland at 8 p.m. Thursday at Penn-Trafford High School.

The teams met in December at the Scotties' tip-off tournament, with Southmoreland winning 63-23.

“Sidney Shemanski and Madeline Clark did not play in that game,” said Soilis. “Southmoreland is a great team and well-coached, but that was the second game of the season. We're a different team now.”

BELLE VERNON 38

Rachel Wobrak 3 3-4 10, Jenna Dawson 4 0-0 10, Tara Callaway 1 0-1 2, Taylor Rodriguez 1 7-8 9, Viva Kreis 2 0-1 4, Farrah Reader 1 1-1 3, Vienna Bertram 0 0-0 0, Presleigh Colditz 0 0-0 0. Totals: 12 11-15 38.

FREEPORT 44

Samantha Clark 0 3-4 3, Madeline Clark 4 5-6 13, Sidney Shemanski 3 5-9 12, Melaina DeZort 3 3-6 10, Harley Holloway 2 2-6 6, Grace Soilis 0 0-0 0. Totals: 12 18-31 44.

Belle Vernon 7 12 7 12 — 38

Freeport10 12 8 14 — 44

3-point goals: Belle Vernon 3 (Dawson 2, Wobrak); Freeport 2 (Shemanski, DeZort).

Thursday: Freeport vs. Southmoreland, WPIAL Class 4A quarterfinal at Penn-Trafford, 8 p.m.