Ogden » As a final show of unity, Eli Robison and Timpview's other seniors elected to spend their Saturday morning before the Class 4A state championship game getting Mohawk haircuts.

After the Thunderbirds convincing performance in a 55-43 victory against Mountain Crest, about the only question remaining was if Robison would keep the hairstyle for long.

"I don't know for sure," Robison smiled as the postgame celebration ensued. "I think I'll wear a hat for a few days and see how it goes."

Trendsetter or not, Robison's 16 points and seven rebounds set the tone for a Timpview (19-7) team that entered the tournament as the third seed from Region 7.

After an ugly first quarter, Timpview was both controlling and efficient. The Thunderbirds shot 63 percent from the field the second half and outrebounded the Mustangs 35-23 while maintaining at least a seven-point lead during the final 24 minutes.

It wasn't the instant classic like the semifinal win over Highland the previous night, but Robison said he'd definitely take it.

"I liked this game. ... We came out and took a lead and did what we had to do," Robison said. "When I had the opportunity, I took it and when it didn't, I passed off. We have such great chemistry."

Point guard Christian Covey, who drilled the game-winning three-pointer Friday at the buzzer, said the win was for Robison and the seniors.

"The seniors deserve it," said Covey, who passed on the hair cutting ritual because he's a junior and because of potential retribution from his mother. "Eli's an incredible person, an incredible player. I am so grateful for the opportunity to play with this team."

Covey agreed the Thunderbirds' thriller the night before might have had residual effect in a opening quarter that saw the teams combine for just nine points and 17 of 22 missed shots.

"There was so much emotion last night," he said. "It was hard to get back into a groove."

Mountain Crest took a 8-7 lead on Tyler Weese's rebound basket with 6:31 remaining in the second quarter. It was the last Mustang lead of the night. Timpview went on a 10-2 run the next five minutes and led 20-12 at halftime.

Ryan Sagers' three-pointer on Timpview's first shot of the second half was an indication of the Thunderbirds regaining their shooting. The Thunderbirds missed just twice in the third period to offset Mountain Crest regaining its rhythm. Timpview's biggest lead came at 50-33 on a Covey basket with 2:49 remaining.

Mountain Crest had one last flurry as Alex Kuresa scored five points in 11 seconds to help the Mustangs cut it to single digits, 52-43, with 44.8 seconds left, but that's as close as it got.

Josh Warner scored 10 for Timpview, Covey had nine points, three assists and three steals, and Ky Ramond a game-high eight rebounds. Cal Hanks led Mountain Crest with 12.