After trading blows for over 30 minutes, Meadowdale’s size was too much for Renton. The Mavericks pulled away in the fourth quarter and won 44-36 to advance in the 3A state tournament Friday.

The Indians (15-14) went 1-2 at the tournament. Renton entered the postseason with a 10-11 record and as underdogs, but the team won three straight loser-out games to advance to state for the eighth time in the past nine years.

Against Meadowdale, the Indians started the game – and played most of the first half – with a full-court press designed to neutralize the Mavericks’ size advantage.

“They’re so big so I thought we’d get a little transition game going and get the tempo up,” said Renton coach Rick Comer.

The teams played evenly in the first half, the biggest lead was Renton by four points, and entered halftime tied at 24.

Hanley Shum caught fire late in the second quarter and carried it into the early third. The Mavericks adjusted and wouldn’t give him much space at that point. Shum led all game scorers with 16 points.

The teams were also tied heading into the fourth quarter but Renton’s offense struggled late. The Indians didn’t score in the final five minutes and eight seconds.

The drought allowed Meadowdale to open a lead and move on.

“We needed another 6-foot-5 guy,” Comer said. “Our guys are small, but we played big. It was the size today that played a big role down the stretch.”

Joseph Powell led Renton with eight rebounds. He also grabbed three steals.

Laudon Thomas scored six points and collected four rebounds.

Renton fell to Shadle Park 72-62 in the first round at state after a big comeback finished short. The Indians then met league rival Mount Rainier and won 45-41 in a loser-out game.

“We’re just happy to be one of the 16 teams here,” Comer said. “We played on Thursday, played on Friday… though Saturday would’ve been nice.”