TRURO — Interstate 35 held on for a 45-38 win over Chariton here Saturday in the Class 3A District 7 opener.
With the win, the Roadrunners advance to a Wednesday regional semifinal game at seventh-ranked North Polk.
Interstate 35 freshmen post players Riley Morris and Gracey Griglione both recorded double-doubles in the win.
Morris scored 17 points and grabbed 15 rebounds, while Griglione finished with 12 points and 11 rebounds.
"We had a great night of rebounding," head coach Jamie Smith said. "Riley Morris 15 boards, 17 points. I think nine offensive rebounds. We hit some shots there at the end."
The Roadrunners trailed in the first half, but a 3-pointer by Taylor Roth and a buzzer-beater by Caylin Brommel gave Interstate 35 the lead at halftime.
"After that, it was kind of a battle," Smith said. "We were up by 10 or 11 points and they started coming at us. We turned it over a little bit, but at the end, hit some free throws."
Now, the Roadrunners turn their attention to North Polk.
"We went up there and played them last year first round, and they kind of put it to us," Smith said. "I'd like to think things are a little bit different this year on both sides. With this group, I don't think that we fear a whole lot. But again, we're going to have to play really, really well to have a chance against those guys. Hopefully our game plan will keep us in the game."
Freshman Slye Richardson recently broke the school record for 3-pointers in a season. She currently has 47. Griglione also became the leader blocked shots with 133.