WHEELER - Offense thrills and defense wins championships.

It's an old basketball saying that the Ingomar Lady Falcons proved to be true Tuesday night in their 60-24 victory over the Wheeler Lady Eagles in the play-in round of Class 1A North tournament.

Offensively, the Lady Falcons (13-21) connected on 10 three-pointers on the night, three each from senior Kayla Stevens and sophomore Reid Little.

Defensively, Ingomar held the Lady Eagles (12-12) to three points in the second-half, all three coming in the third quarter.

Little scored a game-high 22, Stevens had 12, and Shelly Grisham added 10 points for the Lady Falcons. Janay Beene paced the Lady Eagles with 12 points, all coming in the first half of play.

Ingomar will travel to Coldwater, who beat Tremont 58-40 on Monday, to take on the host Lady Cougars on Thursday at 7 p.m. in North tourney play

The Biggersville and Shaw winner will get the winner between HW Byers and Coffeeville. The Ingomar-Coldwater will get the winner between Okolona and Myrtle.

- (B) Wheeler 68, Ingomar 58: The Eagles saw a 20-point second-quarter lead evaporate into a two-point advantage in the final seconds of the third quarter before connecting on 8-of-12 from the free throw line to dethrone the defending Class 1A State Champion Falcons 68-58.

Ryan Miller led Wheeler (14-10) with a game-high 22, Ryan Woods had 20, and Daryl Barefield chipped in 15 points. Tanner McCollum scored 16 and Steven Foster added 10 for Ingomar (16-16).

The Eagles will play Drew, who defeated Vardaman 67-41, in the opening round of the boys Class 1A North State Tournament Thursday at 7:00 p.m. in Okolona.

The Ingomar-Drew winner will take on the winner between Okolona and Falkner. The winner of the game between Myrtle and Coldwater/Houlka. The HW Byers/Thrasher winner will take on the winner of the West Oktibbeha/Shaw.