The Xavier girls basketball team didn't get caught looking ahead to the postseason when they met Jefferson Tuesday night at Jefferson.

Kayla Armstrong scored 14 points and Ashley Stulken added 10 as the Class 4A No.4 Saints beat the J-Hawks, 64-54.

Xavier (12-8) won the first meeting between the schools, 53-47, back in December. This game did not count in the conference standings, but still gave the Saints a sweep of the season series.

Jefferson (8-12) was led by Taylor Jacobson's 17 points. Maddie Koolbeck added 13 and Kaitlyn Davidson had 10.

Jacobson was a key factor early, scoring six of the J-Hawks' first eight points. She also canned all five of her free throws.

It was Senior Night for the J-Hawks and an all-senior starting lineup was featured for Coach Jason Edwards’ squad.

Linn-Mar dealt Xavier a tough double overtime loss 57-54 last Friday, so the Saints were out to make amends.

“The kids need to realize that free throws are free,” Xavier Coach Tom Lilly said, referring to the five free throws missed in overtime against Linn-Mar.

The Saints struggled at the stripe again, making 14 of 26. Jefferson converted 14 of 17.

“We needed to take advantage of the moment and treat our remaining games like it is a tournament,” summarized Lilly.

Xavier's suffocating press came into play early in the contest. Besides picking off from errant passes, the Saints' stifling defense caused traveling violations that eventually doomed Jefferson.

Balanced scoring was a feature in this game for Xavier - eight Saints scored early and 11 scored in the first half.  Unselfishness was the name of the game for Xavier. The points were distributed in such a manner because of mass substitutions throughout the contest.

Friday night is the conclusion of the regular season for both ball clubs.  Xavier travels to powerful Iowa City West to take on the Women of Troy. Jefferson will host Washington.

The regional tournament trail starts next week.

XAVIER (64):  Kayla Armstrong 7 0-3 14,  Hannah Chute 0 0-0 0, Morgan Breitbach 2 0-0 4, Haley Deutmeyer 1 3-4 5, Sarah Dickes 2 5-6 9, Abby Watson 1 2-4 4, Maddie Bertsch 4 0-0 8, Lizzy Bailey 0 2-2 2, McKenna Andersen 0 2-4 2, Allison Chorzempa 1 0-0 2, Ashley Stulken 5 0-2 10, Jenny Dickes 2 0-1 4. Totals 25 14-26 64.

JEFFERSON (54): Autume Starks 0 0-0 0, Kaitlyn Davidson 4 1-2 10, Shalyn Kinney 0 0-0 0, Madison Blietz 0 0-0 0, Kiely Brathwaite 3 2-2 8, Dani Stromert 2 0-0 4, Taylor Jacobson 6 5-5 17, Rachel Broghammer 0 2-4 2, Maddie Koolbeck 4 4-4 13, Paige Timmerman 0 0-0 0. Totals 19 14-17 54.

Halftime - Xavier 34, Jefferson 26. 3-point goals - Xavier 0, Jefferson 2 (Davidson, Koolbeck).