Lawrence High senior Price Morgan (11) goes to work in the paint as he takes the ball up strong between Dodge City defenders Dayton McGroarty (5) and Bryce Unruh during the first half of their first round state championship tournament game Thursday afternoon in Wichita.

Wichita ? There’s no way to put a price on state tournament experience. Lawrence High seniors Price Morgan and Justin Roberts returned from last year’s starting lineup, and they carried their boys basketball team back into the state semifinals Thursday.

The duo combined for 40 points in a 55-46 victory against Dodge City in the first round of the Class 6A state tournament at Wichita State’s Koch Arena. It’s the 14th time the Lions have advanced to the Final Four.

The top-seeded Lions (21-2) will face fourth-seeded Wichita Southeast (19-4) in the semifinals at 4:45 p.m. today.

It took time for the Lions to solve Dodge City’s 3-2 zone defense, which prevented driving lanes. The Lions turned to the 6-foot-4 Morgan in the post, and he delivered 17 points in the first half, including 13 in the second quarter.

Morgan, who had a game-high 22 points on 8-of-9 shooting, has scored at least 15 points in the past eight games, using his strength to frustrate opponents near the rim and his shooting touch to score from the elbow or baseline.

“I just got in there early and got a couple of shots off of the glass,” Morgan said. “Just mentally seeing the ball go through the hoop. Free throws, those were falling for me. And, I mean, the guys did a great job of finding me whenever I was open.”

In the first six minutes of the fourth quarter, the Lions turned a four-point lead into a 52-37 advantage, scoring on five of their first seven possessions. Junior guard Jackson Mallory scored five points in the spurt, Roberts added four points, and junior Braden Solko pump-faked his way to an open layup.

With the offense in rhythm, Lawrence’s defense tightened up. The Lions held eighth-seeded Dodge City (12-11) scoreless for more than four minutes midway through the fourth quarter, forcing seven straight missed shots.

“We just wanted to do what we could to finish it off right then and there,” Morgan said. “I felt like we did a great job of talking and just boxing out.”

After Dodge City took a four-point lead in the second quarter, Roberts started a 12-0 run with a three-pointer from the top of the arc. Morgan scored seven points in the stretch, converting on one layup-and-the-foul bucket.

The Lions never found complete comfort against the zone defense, shooting 3-of-15 from behind the three-point line. But in the state tournament, it’s not about the prettiest game. It’s just finding a way to win.

“We sputtered a little bit,” LHS coach Mike Lewis said. “But, overall, I thought our guys were pretty good, just not great.”

Roberts helped the Lions to a quick start, scoring on a transition layup and drilling a three-pointer in the first two minutes . He finished with 18 points on 6-of-14 shooting and four assists.

“My shot was kind of on and off today, so I have to refocus on that,” Roberts said. “I probably shot too many threes. I probably should’ve gone to the basket more. But all in all, it was a good game.”

With Morgan and Roberts doing most of the scoring, Mallory had a game-high eight rebounds and five steals, and senior Fred Brou added three blocks.

The Lions were just happy to advance, celebrating with their student section after the final buzzer.

“You should be able to enjoy it a little bit more, but I’ll be honest with you, it’s just more relief,” Lewis said. “Had a lot of friends say, ‘Enjoy the moment.’ We’re trying to enjoy the moment, but it’s a relief to just get that one out of the way.”

DODGE CITY (46)

Dayton McGroarty 8-11 2-5 18, Bryce Unruh 4-10 2-5 10, Eric Reid 1-8 1-2 4, Caden Walters 0-3 0-0 0, Noah Williams 3-6 0-0 6, Zach Rodriguez 0-1 0-0 0, Hunter Heath 0-0 0-0 0, Payson Hatfield 0-0 0-0 0, Christopher Baker 1-3 0-0 3, Dawson Williams 0-0 0-0 0, Thomas Sanchez 0-0 0-0 0, Matthew Karns 1-3 2-2 5. Totals 18-45 7-14 46.

LAWRENCE (55)

Justin Roberts 6-14 4-6 18, Price Morgan 8-9 6-7 22, Anthony Harvey Jr. 0-4 0-0 0, Fred Brou 1-4 2-4 4, Jackson Mallory 2-5 2-2 7, Braden Solko 1-1 0-0 2, Kobe Buffalomeat 1-3 0-0 2, Noah Butler 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 19-40 14-19 55.

Dodge 11 11 13 11 — 46

Lawrence 11 18 10 16 — 55

Three-point goals: Dodge City 3-18 (Reid, Baker, Karns); Lawrence 3-15 (Roberts 2, Mallory) Fouled out: Walters, Karns. Turnovers: Dodge City 11, Lawrence 7.