LUBBOCK — The Jayton boys basketball team won a war of attrition Monday, outlasting former region rival Texline for a 56-43 win in a Class 1A Division II state semifinal matchup that featured 54 total fouls and saw six players foul out.

The Jaybirds trailed 21-17 at halftime, but coach Ryan Bleiker’s squad regrouped at the break to outscore the Tornadoes 15-8 in the third quarter and 24-14 in the fourth, taking advantage of 42 fee-throw attempts to outscore Texline 23-9 from the foul line.

The victory sends JHS back to San Antonio for the third straight year and fifth time since 2019, giving the Jaybirds an opportunity to defend their state championship against the winner of Tuesday’s game between Bryson and Kennard at 11 a.m. Thursday at the Alamodome.