There was no shortage of motivations infusing energy into Ellensburg's girls basketball team Friday afternoon.

Surviving a loser-out, winner-to-trophy game.

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Getting revenge for a state loss to Elma a year ago.

Making amends for a sub-par performance the night before.

Faced with this list of inspirations, the Bulldogs answered the call with an offensive breakout, staying alive in the Class 2A state tournament with a 74-64 victory over the Eagles and charging into Saturday's trophy game for fourth and seventh places.

It was an impressively collective response for Ellensburg, which was still fuming about its 28-point performance in Thursday's quarterfinal loss to West Valley of Spokane.

But one player seemed to take the whole thing personally.

All Andrea Bland did was produce a career game on the SunDome stage, nearly tripling her season average with a 29-point binge that accompanied 10 rebounds, four assists and three steals.

The 5-foot-8 guard blended a perimeter threat -- three 3-pointers -- with consistently beating defenders off the dribble for layins or fouls. Bland made 8 of 10 free throws.

"I had no idea, 29, really?," she said. "I just wanted to win so bad. I had to do my part, whatever it took to help get us this win. We had a lot of reasons to win this and that gave us the drive to do it."

A day after shooting 17 percent with just eight field goals, the Bulldogs surpassed Thursday's 28 points midway through the second quarter.

"I guess we saved it up for today because we sure didn't use it yesterday," said Ellensburg coach Craig Faire. "We could have been down because that loss (to West Valley) was very frustrating. But this team plays to the level of its competition and they definitely picked it up today."

Especially on the boards against an Elma team with 6-0, 6-1 height across the front. The Bulldogs battled for a 48-37 rebounding advantage, 22 of those on the offensive glass.

Alongside Bland's double-double, Deaira Gordon contributed 19 points and 11 rebounds and also went 8-for-10 at the foul line. Kim Kelly kicked in 13 points with three 3-pointers.

It took that amount of heavy lifting to offset Elma's formidable Brandi Thomas and Katie Colard, who scored 56 of the Eagles' 64 points. Last year they had 17 each in Elma's 52-46 win over Ellensburg for fourth and seventh places.

"We knew from experience who to go after," Faire said. "We tried to double Colard when we could or else she'll sit out there, rock back and fire. Kim stayed in front of her and did a nice job."

Even with most of the offense limited to those two, Elma made a second-half charge, erasing a 13-point deficit and drawing even at 55-55 with 5:02 left.

With no intention of wilting, Gordon immediately responded with a 3-pointer and added a putback basket the next time down to push the margin back to 60-55. Gordon's putback and another by Bland 52 seconds later came after two offensive rebounds.

"At halftime we told the girls they'll make a comeback, so we have to keep hustling after the boards," Faire said. "Those offensive rebounds -- that's huge against their height."

Kelly drained her third trey with 1:57 to go, and Ellensburg made 9 of 10 free throws down the stretch.

The strong finish earned Ellensburg (20-7) and 1:30 p.m. game Saturday against Pullman (18-7) for fourth and seventh places. The Greyhounds ousted Eatonville 71-46 in their loser-out game.

"I'm proud of the way we all did our part," Bland said. "When Elma came back and tied it, we came together. We just couldn't lose that game."