This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2017, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Taylorsville • Bingham attacked from the start and played Monday like a team expecting to be around this weekend in the Class 5A girls' basketball state tournament.

The Miners jumped out to a double-digit lead before halftime and survived a late Northridge push to win 69-48 in the opening round.

Sierra McNicol scored a game-high 21 points for the Miners (17-7), who extended their win streak to 10 games and advanced to meet Viewmont in Wednesday's quarterfinals.

"We've been preparing all season," McNicol said. "We've been practicing for moments like this. … That definitely helped us get out to a good start."

McNicol scored 15 points in the first half to help Bingham jump out to a 40-25 lead at the break. Northridge (11-11) chipped away and got as close as eight points on Brooklyn Perkins' free throw early in the fourth quarter.

The Region 3 champion Miners did their part to help Northridge by committing four turnovers in the first 3:30 of the fourth quarter. But Bingham turned up the defense over the final 3:33 and closed with a 16-3 run.

"We knew they were a team that never gives up," Bingham coach Charron Mason said about Northridge. "That was one of the things we talked about at halftime. It doesn't matter what the score is, they're going to be ready."

Atalina Pritchard had 18 points, including 10 of 10 from the free-throw line, and Journeys Tupea added 10 points for Bingham, which has won 13 games by double figures this season.

"I know there's a couple of times we became impatient, but we found a way to pull out the win in the state tournament, which is always good," McNicol said.

The Miners' attacking nature on offense led to 44 points in the paint and none from 3-point range. Bingham shot 0-for 5 from beyond the arc.

Perkins had 12 points and Jessica Ellis added 11 for the Knights, who defeated Roy in a play-in game Saturday. —

Bingham 69, Northridge 48

• Senior Sierra McNicol scores a game-high 21 points, including 15 in the first half, as Bingham advances.

• Brooklyn Perkins has 12 points for Northridge, which cut an 18-point deficit to eight in the fourth quarter.

• Bingham wins despite not making a 3-pointer. The Miners finish 0 for 5.