MADISON - Things were looking bleak for Brookfield Central.

But the Lancers revived themselves in the third quarter and rallied from an 11-point deficit to defeat Bay Port 63-55 Thursday in the Division 1 quarterfinals of the Wisconsin state boys basketball tournament.

Cory Degner scored 23 points, Donne Robbins 15 and Lee Severson 10 for the Lancers (19-5).

Jake Hottenstine led Bay Port (21-3) with 17 points. Cole Meyer added 13 but no others had more than 7 points.

The Lancers, who were down 32-21 early in ther third quarter, advance to the semifinals Friday night against either Eau Claire North or Wauwatosa East.

With the score 30-21, Robbins missed three free throws after being fouled on a 3-point shot. When Bay Port scored on the ensuing possession, it led by 11.

Brookfield Central closed to 36-29 and finished the third quarter with two 3-pointers by Robbins and Degner, the latter coming from near mid-court at the buzzer to make it a one-point deficit.

The run was extended to 11-0 with the first six points, four by Degner, of the fourth quarter to lead 45-38. The Pirates never led again although they were within four at 56-52 before being outscored 7-3 in the final minute.

"After I hit that half-courter, we knew we had a lot of momentum going," Degner said.

"He made a lot of plays down the stretch," Bay Port coach Nate Rykal said. "We had a lot of games this year where we've come back, but this time we couldn't."

Rykal also voiced displeasure about the officiating after his team was outscored 30-13 at the line.

"I thought we were in control for a good part of the game," he said. "It sounds like I'm whining about referees and I guess I am. ... It's a huge impact on a game."

Bay Port led 24-19 at halftime, getting its last six points from reserve Brad Utech, who averaged 1.8 per game going into the tournament.

Brookfield Central coach Mark Adams praised his team's determination.

"We just said keep taking it to the basket and we did that," Adams said. "We were dynamite from the free throw line and that was a huge difference in the game."

Degner and Robbins combined for 20 of their team's free throws.

"In the second half our whole team stepped up," Degner said.

"We just got to the line and made our free throws and everything settled the way we wanted it to settle," Robbins said.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)