NORTH PLATTE, NE — Bridgeport trailed when the fourth quarter started, but the Lady Bulldogs closed out the game strong to claim its second consecutive district championship Friday in North Platte. 

Behind a combined 48 points from sisters Olivia and Ruthie Loomis-Goltl, Bridgeport defeated the North Central Knights 59-48 and advance to the state tournament in Lincoln. 

In a back and forth first quarter, the Lady Bulldogs took a narrow lead late in the period and held a 12-10 advantage into the second quarter. The game remained close in the second, but Bridgeport eventually expanded its lead to seven at 28-21. A late North Central three-pointer kept things close. At halftime, the Lady Bulldogs led 30-24. 

Bridgeport hit the opening shot of the second half, but then North Central took over the rest of the period. After trailing 32-24, the Knights went on a 14-2 run to retake the lead at 38-34. They still held the lead 40-38 going to the fourth. 

In the final period, it was Bridgeport's turn to go on a run. The teams traded buckets early to send the score to 42-40 in favor of North Central. The Lady Bulldogs then embarked on an 11-0 run to take the lead back for good. 

Up 51-42, Bridgeport kept the Knights at bay, winning 59-48. In the final quarter, the Lady Bulldogs outscored North Central 21-8. 

Olivia led the way with 30 points while Ruthie added 18 for Bridgeport. Brielle Bussinger paced North Central with 19 points while Jenna Hallock added 13. 

Bridgeport advances to its second consecutive state tournament. It's the first time the Lady Bulldogs have been to back-to-back state tournaments since 2006-07. This year's NSAA State Basketball Tournament runs March 7-12. 

North Central's season ends in the district final round for a third straight year. The Knights end the season at 20-6.