LYLE — For long time Lyle-Pacelli standouts Sarah Holtz and Courtney Walter, it was an emotional night in Lyle Gym Thursday.

The pair of seniors were playing in their final home game and they both stepped up their play as the Athletics knocked off No. 7 seeded Faribault Bethlehem Academy (12-15 overall) 68-39.

Holtz finished with 18 points, eight rebounds and three assists and Courtney Walter had 12 points, three rebounds, six assists and five steals.

“It’s kind of hard to take in. It’s almost like it’s not real right now,” Walter said. “We were talking on the bus about how we’re never going to play in this gym in front of a packed crowd ever again.”

LP (24-3 overall) led just 14-8 early on, but it picked up the pace and used 10-2 run to distance itself from the Cardinals. LP head coach Justin Morris said his team was certainly feeling the nerves early on.

“You always have some nerves right away. Any time you’re the favorite, you have some pressure on you in that first round game,” Morris said. “We played with great effort, great intensity and fantastic engagement.”

The Athletics will now play No. 3 Blooming Prairie in the Section 1A West semifinals in Mayo Civic Center 7:30 p.m. Monday. LP, which took fourth in the state tournament last season, is not getting ahead of itself this year.

“We want to take it one step at a time. We want to keep our season going and then focus on the next game,” Holtz said.

FBA 19 20 — 39

LP 37 31 — 68

LP scoring: Sarah Holtz, 18; Courtney Walter, 12; Brooke Walter, 9; Kristi Fett, 9; Caitlin Roberts, 9; Abby Bollingberg, 4; Olivia Christianson, 4; Bethany Strouf, 3; free throws: 80 percent (4-for-5); rebounds: 33 (Holtz, 8); turnovers: 11