Stifling defense and sharp-shooting from the three-point line propelled Mineola to a 33-26 win over the visiting Quitman Lady Bulldogs Friday, in a battle between the District 15-3A second and third place teams.

Barring an upset Thursday, the Lady Bulldogs will enter the state playoffs as the second place team and Mineola as the third-place squad.

That defenses would feature was clear from the get-go, as each team struggled to just six first-quarter points, including one lengthy stretch where neither could score.

Quitman’s points came from three-pointers by Addison Sapp and Autumn Cason while Mineola got a three from Kyra Jackson.

Kaitlyn McMahan’s steal and basket to end the quarter knotted the score for Mineola.

Quitman would not score again until the second half. Mineola added 10 points to establish a lead the Lady Jackets would not relinquish. Mahayla McMahon and Jayla Jackson aided the Mineola cause with three-pointers.

Sapp opened the third quarter with a three – the first of seven put in by the two squads in the period.

Jayla Jackson answered with a three for Mineola and added two more during the quarter, to go along with a three by teammate Kali Chrietzberg that accounted for all 12 Mineola points.

Lexi Frazier and Kaylin Sapp added threes for Quitman. Sadie Vander Schaaf had the only points in the period not from behind the arc, sinking two free throws.

That left the score at 28-17, Mineola.

Jayla Jackson again led Mineola scoring in the final quarter, this time with an inside basket and two free throws. Chrietzberg added the only other point for Mineola in the quarter, as the defenses again dominated.

Mineola’s lead grew to 31-17 before Allie Berry nailed a three for Quitman. Jackson’s free throws made it 33-20 with a minute to play.

Quitman got a basket and free throw from Cason to close to 33-23, then Kaylin Sapp concluded the scoring with a three in the final seconds.

Jayla Jackson had 15 points, Kyra Jackson six and Chrietzberg five for Mineola while the Sapp sisters and Cason each had six for Quitman.

The 9-2 Lady Bulldogs hosted Grand Saline to end the regular season Tuesday, while 8-3 Mineola traveled to Edgewood.

Quitman opens the playoffs Monday with a bidistrict match against Troup at Union Grove at 7 p.m.

Mineola faces Gladewater, Tuesday, Feb. 11 at 7:15 p.m. at UT Tyler.