Salina ? Veritas Christian broke open a close game by outscoring Manhattan CHIEF by 10 points in the fourth quarter in a 52-42 victory Thursday in the first round of the KCAA boys basketball state tournament.

The teams were tied a 33-all after three quarters before Veritas outscored Manhattan 19-9 in the fourth.

Miles Dressler led the Eagles with 19 points, followed by Chad Stieben with 11 and Kalim Dowdell with 10.

Veritas (22-4) will play at 5 p.m. Friday in the KCAA semifinals.

“It was a typical first-tournament game,” Veritas coach Carl Huslig said. “We had some nerves. We finally played relaxed and played the kind of basketball we’ve been preaching all year.”

Manhattan 17 6 10 9 — 42

Veritas 16 6 11 19 — 52

Manhattan CHIEF: Anthony Schrader 16, Derek Bowman 7, Patrick Schrader 7, James Wilson 6, David Roberosn 4, Joel Moldrup 2.

Veritas: Weston Flory 6, Trey Huslig 2, Chad Stieben 11, Miles Dressler 19, Michael Rask 2, Kalim Dowdell 10, Drake Napier 2.