HANDS-ON DEFENSE — Fairmont’s Ava Terfehr (24) reaches out to stop Luverne guard Sarah Stegenga’s progress while Fairmont teammate Hope Klanderud lends a hand during Thursday night’s Section 3AA quarterfinal basketball game in Worthington. Fairmont went on to post a 67-58 victory. (Photo by Charlie Sorrells)

WORTHINGTON — Timely shooting from both 3-point range and the free throw line engineered Fairmont’s cardiac comeback during the second half of Thursday night’s playoff basketball game in Worthington.

Ava Terfehr delivered 19 points — including three 3-pointers — and five assists, Nevaeh Rahm supplied 17 points and five assists, while Brylee Miller posted a double-double of 16 points and 11 rebounds to guide Fairmont to a 67-58 triumph over Luverne in the Section 3AA quarterfinals.

Fairmont (16-11) advances to face Windom Area (21-7) in an 8:05 p.m. sectional semifinal on Tuesday night in St. James. Windom Area eliminated Jackson County Central (17-10) by an 81-69 decision to gain the next round of the postseason.

Luverne ended its season with an 11-15 record.

“Ava (Terfehr) really stepped up and did everything we asked of her and then some tonight,” said Fairmont head coach Sara Junkermeier. “She helped us handle the defensive press, played great defense, hit timely 3-pointers and made key free throws down the stretch.”

“Earlier in the season, making free throws wasn’t something we could hang our hats on as a team, but hopefully we can continue to make them in our next game,” Junkermeier said in reference to the Cardinals’ 17-for-23 performance at the line.

Clinging to a 23-20 lead by intermission, Luverne’s 6-foot low-post tandem of Kira John and Kiesli Smith combined for Luverne’s initial 12 points of the second half to help produce ties at 26, 28, 30, 32 and 34.

Tori Serie connected on her second trifecta of the game off one of Kayla Bloemendaal’s four assists to swing a 37-34 lead to Luverne before Sarah Stegenga’s steal-turned-layup caused Junkermeier to call timeout at the 12:41 mark.

Rahm reeled off six of Fairmont’s consecutive points before Hope Klanderud, Terfehr and Miller snapped the nets with three 3-pointers to help Fairmont retake the lead for good with 7 minutes remaining in regulation.

“Those were clutch 3s to get us back in the game,” said Junkermeier.

Klanderud converted one of Rahm’s five assists for a trey to trim Fairmont’s deficit to 46-43 before Miller hit a solo free throw.

Smith, who finished with 15 points, hit a sweeping post move for Luverne, but Terfehr and Miller nailed back-to-back 3s to seize a 50-48 lead.

The pair of trifectas triggered Fairmont’s 12-1 surge that kept Luverne at bay down the stretch run.

Rahm converted one of Miller’s helpers for a low-post leaner, Miller broke free for a right-wing drive and Terfehr hit two free throws for a 56-49 lead with 4 minutes to go. Terfehr made 6 of 7 from the free throw line on the game.

Grace Pendergast, Rahm and Klanderud each contributed two free throws during the next 3 1/2 minutes to put the game in the win column.

Kira John scored a game-best 20 points, pulled down nine rebounds, pocketed four steals and doled out three assists for Luverne.

Taya Johnson contributed eight points off the bench for Luverne, while Serie chipped in six points and seven boards.

Luverne    20-38–58

Fairmont  23-44–67

FAIRMONT (67)

Ava Terfehr 5-13 6-7 19, Ellie Ortega 1-5 1-3 3, Nevaeh Rahm 7-9 3-4 17, Grace Pendergast 0-5 2-2 2, Brylee Miller 6-11 3-5 16, Hope Klanderud 2-4 2-2 8, Kennedy Becker 1-1 0-0 2. Totals 22-48 17-23 67.

LUVERNE (58)

Kayla Bloemendaal 2-5 0-0 4, Tori Serie 2-4 0-0 6, Sarah Stegenga 1-6 3-4 5, Kira John 8-11 4-7 20, Kiesli Smith 7-15 1-4 15, Taya Johnson 4-7 0-0 8, Khloe Visker 0-3 0-0 0. Totals 24-51 8-15 58.

3-pointers: Fairmont 6-17 (Terfehr 3-6, Klanderud 2-4, Miller 1-3, Pendergast 0-4); Luverne 2-9 (Serie 2-3, Bloemendaal 0-2, Visker 0-2, Smith 0-1, Stegenga 0-1). Fouled out: None. Rebounds: Fairmont 27 (Miller 11); Luverne 23 (John 9). Assists: Fairmont 17 (Terfehr and Rahm 5 each; Pendergast 4); Luverne 10 (Bloemendaal 4, John 3). Steals: Luverne 12 (Stegenga and John 4 each); Fairmont 10 (Miller 3).