PENDLETON – In their quest to try and win a second consecutive Class 2A state title, the Knappa High boys basketball team had to win against a team which they lost to twice in the regular season.

In a semifinal featuring the last two state champions, Knappa faced Northwest League rival Portland Christian in the OSAA/U.S./Bank/Les Schwab Tires Boys Basketball State Tournament.

But Knappa was unable overcome a sluggish third quarter when they scored just two points as the Royals (20-8) came out on top in this fourth meeting between the two squads with a 49-45 win Friday at the Pendleton Convention Center.

The Loggers (22-7), guided by coach will Isom, will now focus on winning the third-place trophy when they’ll meet the Blanchet Catholic Cavaliers (21-6) in a 3:15 p.m. contest Saturday. The Central Linn Cobras (25-0) won 44-36 over Blanchet in another semifinal Friday night. The Cobras will play the Royals in the 8:30 p.m. championship game.

It was a low scoring first half in an early defensive battle with both squads playing a tough zone defense. The Royals got on the scoreboard first in taking an early 2-0 edge. Knappa responded with a 9-3 rally to go up 9-5 midway through the opening quarter.

The two squads traded baskets the remainder of the quarter and a slashing driving layup through traffic by Knappa junior guard Trevor Oja (7 pts.) helped the Loggers take a 16-12 advantage after one quarter. PC (20-9) came back and outscored Knappa in the second 9-7, as the Loggers remained in front 23-21 at halftime. Sophomore post Dalton Kelly (13 pts.), who earned the Quest Player-of-the-Game Award for Knappa, led both teams in scoring with nine points at the break.

Just as they did in a 38-25 quarterfinal win over Salem Academy on Thursday, the Royals switched from zone to an aggressive man-to-man defense to slow Knappa’s offense. PC out scored Knappa 7-0 in the third to get the upper hand in that contest and they did the same Friday, outscoring Knappa 10-2 to take a 31-25 lead after three.

The Loggers offensive struggles continued in the fourth as they’re shots just didn’t fall. The Royals offense was in high gear as they were able to sink jumpers and convert several fastbreak layups to surge ahead 41-29 with a 10-4 rally to take control of the contest with just one minute, 15 seconds remaining in the game. Knappa responded with an impressive late rally, outscoring PC 16-8 in the final minute to narrow the final margin.