Brandon Gfeller scored 14 points to lead defending champion Colfax past LaConner 44-28 on Thursday and into the semifinals of the Class 2B boys state tournament.

Kasey Johnson added 10 points and Skylar Simonson nine points and eight rebounds for the Bulldogs (21-7). Spencer Novak scored 13 points for the Braves (20-2), who will play in a loser-out game.

Trailing by as many as 13 early, LaConner managed to pull within 28-23 after eight straight points late in the third, capped by Novak's jumper.

Colfax answered with a 3-pointer by Johnson and a long baseline jumper from Gfeller to push the lead back to 10 late in the third. Brady Ellis buried four straight from the foul line in the game's final 1:23 to secure the Colfax win.