Topeka ? Playing without a starter is nothing new for Lawrence High’s boys basketball team this season. The Lions have played two games without senior forward Price Morgan and one game without junior wing Jackson Mallory.

On Friday against Topeka High, it was learning how to play without senior point guard Justin Roberts, the team’s leading scorer and floor leader. He dislocated his shoulder in the second quarter and did not return. Without Roberts, the LHS seniors — Morgan, Anthony Harvey and Fred Brou — knew it was their time to step up and fill his absence.

The offense wasn’t as sharp, but the Lions made enough plays to rip out a physical 57-55 victory in the Topeka Invitational Tournament semifinals at Topeka West. Morgan knocked down two game-winning free throws with three seconds left and he stole a pass before Topeka could set up a desperation shot attempt at the buzzer. The Lions will face Highland Park in the championship game at 5:30 tonight.

“I thought our guys did a nice job of just settling down and playing hard,” LHS coach Mike Lewis said. “We didn’t play real smart in certain spots of the game, which we have to learn from. But it was a gutty effort.

“Our guys really fought and clawed. I really liked that part of the game. They just really dug in and weren’t going to let it get away.”

In the fourth quarter, the Lions (11-1, ranked No. 3 in Class 6A) took a nine-point lead when Morgan converted on a layup and Harvey drilled a deep three from the left wing. Harvey drained his first five three-point attempts on his way to a game-high 18 points.

Three minutes later, freshman Noah Butler drove to the rim and scored on a layup-and-the-foul bucket for a 55-49 lead. That was the last basket for the Lions, who went the final 3:55 without a field goal.

The Lions missed their final five shots and turned the ball over three times, the last turnover turning into a game-tying layup by Topeka senior John Madden with under 10 seconds left. After Madden’s bucket, Morgan dribbled down the court into the paint and drew the foul for his winning free throws.

Morgan, who has a bruise under his left eye, has been streaky at the free-throw line this season — he was 3-of-9 on Friday — but he said he focused on the three C’s: consistency, confidence and concentration.

“Not known as a ball-handler, but just tried to do my part and step up,” said Morgan, who had 14 points and 10 rebounds. “Get to the paint and hopefully draw a foul or get the layup. Thankfully got that foul call.”

Roberts exited with 2:19 left in the first half when he was fouled going around a ball screen. A trainer wrapped his right shoulder with ice, and he cheered from the bench in the second half.

“It popped out,” Roberts said. “It felt like it popped back. I can’t really move it across my body right now. I’ll just ice it tonight and see how it feels in the morning.”

After Roberts left the court, the Trojans (5-6) scored the final seven points of the second quarter for a four-point halftime lead.

“All of the seniors stepped up and kept it positive,” Morgan said of the locker room at halftime. “We were only down four points. I knew that if we played like we were capable of, we were going to get the win. It was just a matter of our attitude and effort.”

In the third quarter, Harvey knocked down two triples, Brou hit a three and scored on a layup-and-the-foul, and Morgan scored six points. Mallory, who was playing sick, added a layup.

“I think anybody in our (nine)-man rotation can get hot at any time,” Harvey said. “If it’s somebody’s turn, they’ve got to go. I stepped up tonight. Everybody stepped up tonight. It was a huge win.”

LAWRENCE (57)

Justin Roberts 2-5 0-1 4, Price Morgan 4-11 6-7 14, Fred Brou 4-5 0-1 9, Anthony Harvey 5-7 3-4 18, Jackson Mallory 2-8 0-1 5, Kobe Buffalomeat 0-2 0-0 0, Braden Solko 0-0 0-0 0, Noah Butler 2-3 1-1 5, Austin Miller 0-1 2-2 2. Totals 19-42 12-17 57.

TOPEKA (55)

J’Shaliek Hendricks 3-6 0-1 6, TC Smith III 4-6 3-6 13, Jarin Downing 2-10 1-2 7, Mario King 4-12 0-0 10, John Madden 7-14 0-0 14, Machias Jackson 1-6 0-0 2, Kaleb Barber 1-5 1-3 3, Carson Denney 0-0 0-0 0, Nysir Scott 0-2 0-0 0. Totals 22-61 5-12 55.

Lawrence 18 8 21 10 — 57

Topeka 11 19 13 12 — 55

Three-point goals: Lawrence 7-13 (Harvey 5, Brou, Mallory); Topeka 6-23 (Smith 2, Downing 2, King 2). Turnovers: Lawrence 20, Topeka 10.