METROPOLIS — The Carterville Lions gave perennial Missouri power and top-seeded Charleston all it wanted for just about 29 minutes Friday. It was those other three-plus minutes that were the problem. The Blue Jays went on an 18-4 run in a early in the fourth quarter to propel them to a 70-61 and a date in Saturday night’s championship game of the Superman Classic.

Charleston led 27-24 at half and immediately extended that lead to 10 with three consecutive three-pointers in an 80 second span.

Carterville chipped away at the deficit, closing within 44-43 by the end of the third. The Lions then tied the game at 45 early in the fourth, just prior to the Blue Jays’ big run.

Fletravion Stanback hit four of Charleston’s 11 three-pointers on the night. Stanback finished with a game high 19 points. PJ Farmer added 14 and Rico Coleman 10.

Caden Hawkins led the Lions with 15 points. Peyton Bittle added 12 and John Stroud 11.

Carterville will face Graves County (KY) for third place at 6:15 Saturday. Charleston will take on the host Patriots for the championship around 7:30. Massac County defeated Graves County 63-53 in the other semifinal. Goreville will face Vienna in the consolation championship at 4:30. Century and Ft. Campbell (KY) will start the day’s action with the seventh place game at 3:00.