GREAT FALLS — At halftime, it looked like a trip to the semifinals of the Class A State boys’ basketball tournament was on the table for the Butte Central Maroons.

Billings Central, though, had other things to say in the second half.

The Rams outscored the Maroons 42-17 after the break, turning a one-point game into a 71-45 victory at Four Seasons Arena. (Stats)

Billings Central will head to the semifinals to take on Lockwood, which beat Ronan 65053 in the first game of the tournament. The Maroons will battle Ronan in a 9 a.m. loser-out game on Friday.

Darcy Merchant Jr. and Toby Stewart each scored 20 points to lead the Rams (19-2), who won their 14th straight game. Howie Martin and Will Snell each scored eight points, and Paxton Prill tossed in six.

Senior Ryan Peoples scored 23 points to lead the Maroons, who fell to 17-6. Joshua Sutton scored 16.

Butte Central also got three points from Jaxon Hiatt, two from Noah Sutton and one from GG Fantini. Cade Kelly, Henly Mansanti and Burkley Lakkala played for BC, too.