The Santa Fe High Demonettes did just enough.

They grabbed enough rebounds and played well on defense.

Most importantly, they hit their free throws when it mattered most in a 54-45 District 2AAAA semifinal win over Bernalillo on Thursday night in Toby Roybal Memorial Gymnasium.

While Bernalillo falls to 14-13 overall, Santa Fe High (18-7) advances to Friday district championship game against the Española Lady Sundevils in Edward Medina Gymnasium. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.

Santa Fe High fans will be holding their breath to see if one of their top players takes the floor. Starting forward Kayla Herrera, who scored a game-high 18 points, injured her right knee on a collision and fall with 9.9 seconds left. She limped off the court, and her status for Friday's championship is questionable.

"I'm hoping she can go tomorrow night," said Albert Chavez, Demonettes head coach. "Kayla is our catalyst. She gets us going."

It was Herrera's six points during an 8-0 run that propelled the Demonettes to a 12-7 lead that Santa Fe High never lost. The lead grew to 44-31 toward the end of the third quarter as the Demonettes penetrated into the paint and hit their post players for easy buckets.

During the two district games this season, Bernalillo attacked Santa Fe's guards with the full-court pressure defense. It often led to easy steals and uncontested layups. That didn't happen during the first three quarters Thursday as Santa Fe High used patience and good passes to keep possession and its lead.

But the Spartans were relentless in their full-court press and finally took advantage. An 8-2 spurt at the start of the fourth quarter closed the Bernalillo deficit to 47-43 with 5:03 left.

Everyone in they gymnasium sensed the game's momentum turning, but Selena Valencia would have nothing of it.

On one possession, the Demonettes forward grabbed four straight offensive rebounds, helping Santa Fe High keep control of the ball for two minutes.

"I thought that was the turning point in the game," Chavez said. "Selena's offensive rebounds allowed us to run some important time off the clock and forced them to foul us."

Shanice Campos and Mariah Solaro made the most of their chances, hitting 6 of 6 free throws in the game's final minute, eliminating any hope of a Bernalillo rally.

"You have to give Santa Fe High credit," said Jeff King, Lady Spartans head coach. "They made the plays when they needed to. They hit their shots, grabbed some boards and hit those free throws at the end."