Silver Bluff girls basketball team alive in playoffs

PETTICOAT JUNCTION, S.C. --- Jamie Foreman said she wasn't nervous, but Taylor Muterspaugh definitely had some butterflies while she watched from the bench.

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Silver Bluff's Jamie Foreman, who scored 25 points, prepares to grab a loose ball in Tuesday's victory over Bishop England.

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Corey Perrine/Staff

Silver Bluff's Taylor Muterrspaugh can't catch the inbound pass from a pressuring Bishop England's Mary Harriet Moore Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2011 at Silver Bluff High School. Silver Bluff held on for the win against Bishop England 49-45. Silver Bluff advances in lower state tournament play and preserve a prefect 21-0 record.

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Corey Perrine/Staff

Silver Bluff's crowd celebrates after the Lady Bulldogs built a 30-12 halftime lead.

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Corey Perrine/Staff

Silver Bluff's Sherieka Bates grabs a loose ball from Bishop England's Amber Corbett

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Corey Perrine/Staff

Silver Bluff's Taylor Muterspaugh scrums to grab a rebound off the glass against a pack of Bishop England defenders

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Corey Perrine/Staff

Bishop England's Ellie James hits the floor hard after leaping for a rebound against Silver Bluff

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Corey Perrine/Staff

Silver Bluff's Kadajah Simpkins, left, and Taylor Muterspaugh look on as a pass sails out of bounds for Bishop England's Michelle Boykins

See a staff gallery from the game

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The Silver Bluff girls basketball team used a first-half run to grab a big lead before hanging on late to beat Bishop England, 49-45, in the Class AA state quarterfinals Tuesday night.

"It means everything," Muterspaugh said about advancing to the state semifinals. "We've been there before, but this time we're taking it."

Silver Bluff (21-0) grabbed what looked like would be a comfortable advantage for good in the first quarter as it rattled off 19 consecutive points to go up 21-2.

Muterspaugh helped the Lady Bulldogs' run with two consecutive buckets near the hoop. Her first score came on a perfect delivery inside, with the second one happening on an inbounds pass.

Foreman led the way offensively, scoring 18 of her game-high 25 points in the first half as she outscored the Lady Bishops by six points in the first 16 minutes. Foreman called it a revenge win considering Bishop England knocked out the Bulldogs in the playoffs the previous season. Silver Bluff beat the Lady Bishops in the state tournament in the 2008-09 season.

"It's huge," Silver Bluff coach Robbie McKenzie said. "It's an opportunity for the seniors to play another game."

Foreman knocked down a 3-pointer to start the run and was also a force down low as Silver Bluff controlled the glass and got repeated putback opportunities. Kaylin Foreman added eight points in the victory.

Silver Bluff's size and rebounding led the way defensively as Bishop England often had one-shot possessions and struggled with turnovers. Muterspaugh was one of the forces near the basket, even getting a block to begin the second quarter. The Lady Bishops frequently resorted to jump shots in the opening half as their deficit grew.

By the time the Lady Bishops (21-5) hit a field goal when Ellie James scored, they were already down 23-5 with 4:35 to go in the second period.

But everything changed in the second half, when Silver Bluff almost blew a 22-point lead.

Though the Lady Bulldogs didn't convert all their late chances at the line -- they hit only 11 of 24 attempts in the game -- the defense and lack of time did enough to secure the win as Foreman added a key block late.