WATERTOWN – Sisseton faced a tall order Friday night and came up short against second-seeded Wagner.

The Red Raiders got off to a quick start, took advantage of their inside presence, and never trailed on the way to a 63-45 semifinal win during the Class A Girls’ State Basketball Tournament at the Watertown Arena.

Wagner bolted out to a 14-2 lead in the opening quarter and the Redmen never fully recovered.

“We came out flat today. We’re not usually ready for two or three tough games in a row,” said Sisseton coach Sara Lincoln. “We struggled a little bit. It took us a while to get going and we just couldn’t get the ball rolling fast enough in the second half.”

The Red Raiders consistently worked a high-low post feed for numerous inside baskets throughout the contest.

“We’re just good passers. We know where the ball has to go. We know who’s supposed to be coming high,” said Wagner coach Michael Koupal. “We make two good passes, actually three good passes, because we have to have an enter pass and then get the high post, and then we get the finish down low. It’s execution.”

Wagner featured a 6-foot-2 player along with a pair of 5-11 girls and each was productive in scoring in the lane. Not only that, but they made life tough on Sisseton’s post players as well.

“It was a challenge, but that’s not an excuse for them being bigger,” said Sisseton sophomore Krista Langager. “We could have worked harder tonight, but it’s OK.”

The Redmen never stopped battling. Trailing by as many as 15 points, Sisseton eventually cut the deficit down to 41-33 late in the third quarter. However, Wagner then pushed the margin back to double digits with its fifth 3-pointer of the contest and the Redmen could not muster enough offense in the final quarter to make a serious charge.

“We couldn’t answer to any of our offense. We weren’t moving as fast as we usually do,” Lincoln said. “Our girls are trying to work hard. They picked it up in the second half and that’s all we can ask for right now.”

Ashlyn Koupal scored a game-high 27 points to lead Wagner. Her sister Macy Koupal added 17 points, and Emma Yost contributed 14 points and 11 rebounds.

Macy nailed three 3-pointers in the third quarter to help keep the Red Raiders in control.

“They were sagging off and Macy did a good job of setting herself up and hunting shots down,” Coach Koupal said. “That’s what we tell our guards, you have to hunt shots down. If they’re not guarding you, you have to get yourself in position ready to score and make them pay. She did that tonight. She made them pay.”

Wagner (24-1) takes on Hamlin in the championship game at about 7:45 tonight.

“It’s going to boil down to execution and really who’s going to want it more,” Coach Koupal said, “who’s going to gut it out.”

Chloe Langager scored 12 points to lead a balanced attack for Sisseton. Emmalee Nielsen and Krista Langager each added 10, and Hannah Leverson contributed eight.

The Redmen (21-3) will face Red Cloud for third place at 6 this evening. The young squad will try to make the most of its first state tourney appearance since 2012.

“Everybody is coming back next year. We’re excited. I’m not disappointed,” Lincoln said. “I’m happy that they came out second half and fought. These girls always fight. We’re ready to work. We’re not done yet at the tournament. We have one more game left.”

The Redmen have one more chance to play in front of a large crowd and will try to finish the season with one more victory.

“It’s definitely exciting,” Krista Lanager said of the state-tourney atmosphere. “You want to do the best you can, because it’s hyped. It’s fun. We’re just hoping to come out third.”

SISSETON (21-3): Hannah Leverson 3 2-2 8, Ruby Rice 2 0-0 5, Emmalee Nielsen 4 1-2 10, Chloe Langager 5 1-1 12, Krista Langager 5 0-2 10. Totals 19-56 4-7 45.

WAGNER (24-1): Eve Zephier 0 0-2 0, Shalayne Nagel 1 3-5 5, Emma Yost 5 4-6 14, Macy Koupal 6 2-2 17, Ashlyn Koupal 6 13-18 27. Totals 18-50 22-34 63.

Sisseton 4 15 33 45

Wagner 16 29 44 63

3-point field goals – Sisseton 3-17 (Rice, Nielsen, C. Langager); Wagner 5-15 (M. Koupal 3, A. Koupal 2). Fouled out – Leverson. Total fouls – Sisseton 21; Wagner 39. Rebounds – Sisseton 35 (Nielsen 7, K. Langager 6); Wagner 39 (Yost 11, M. Koupal 9). Turnovers – Sisseton 6; Wagner 5. Steals – Sisseton 3; Wagner 3.