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A 28-point third quarter launched the North Penn-Mansfield Tigers to a win in the play-in game of the PIAA Class AA tournament on Tuesday, March 6.

Despite a 3 1/2 hour drive, the Tigers captured their first state playoff win since 2011 despite qualifying for the tournament three of the past four seasons. Also, 2017-18 was supposed to be a “rebuilding year” for the Tigers after they graduated eight seniors and four starters off the 2016-17 team.

The Tigers found were within striking distance after the opening eight minutes, but trailed 19-13. Mansfield made up ground in the second quarter. The Tigers only connected on three field goals, but Brent Burleigh 5-of-6 foul shots to help the visitors put up 14 points. North Star outscored them by a point, 15-14, to hold a 34-27 lead at halftime.

As the first half ended and the second began, the Tigers used a 19-4 run to eventually take the lead with 3:30 remaining in the third. The Tigers held North Star to just 5 third-quarter points to break the game open and lead 55-39.

North Star made a run in the fourth quarter, and actually outscored North Penn-Mansfield 20-17, but the Tigers distanced themselves enough and never relinquished the lead in a 72-59 win.

Burleigh had a career-high 26 points and 9 rebounds. Dylan Meyer finished with a double-double of 17 points and 16 rebounds while adding 3 blocked shots, Nick Kasper scored 11 and Garrett David finished with a double-double of 10 points and 11 rebounds. Jayden Andrews added 5 points, 5 assists, and 5 steals while Sawyer Freeman chipped in with 3 points.

Next up for the Tigers (18-10) is a rematch with Ridgway out of District 9 on Saturday, March 10 at 4:00 p.m. at St. Marys High School. Last year both teams battled it out at Mansfield University with Ridgway edged North Penn-Mansfield 54-50.