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Taylorsville • While contemplating sophomore Lauren Gustin's 34-point, 16-rebound effort in Salem Hills' come-from-behind 73-65 Class 4A quarterfinal victory over Skyline on Wednesday, Skyhawk coach Kyle Francom said it best.

"She's a beast in the best possible way," he smiled. "She is relentless. No stage is too big. She doesn't back down from anyone."

With sidekick Jane Nelson providing 18 points, Gustin helped Salem Hills turn in a decisive third period in which Salem Hills outscored the Region Six champion Eagles 26-8.

The Skyhawks trailed Skyline 29-19 at one point in the second quarter and went into halftime down 38-33.

"We picked up our defense and started playing together as a team." said Gustin about what happened after halftime.

As for being down, the sophomore star said Salem Hills turned that into a plus.

"We felt like at that point, it helped us bond and pull together," she said. "We knew we had to win this game."

Francom said his team shot 47 percent and put up 33 points in the first half. What was lacking was defense, especially with Skyline sharpshooters Madison Grange and Hannah Anderl blasting away from three-point territory.

"We upped our effort on the defensive end," he said. "I haven't seen the stats [Skyline shot 47.6] but I bet it wasn't 58 percent. That is right up there with as good [of quarter] as I have been around."

Salem Hills shot 60.9 percent from the field in the second half. It was a testament to how good Skyline was that the Eagles managed to stay in the game until the end, moving to within five points twice in the final minutes.

On this night, though, Lauren Gustin was a beast. In the best possible way.

wharton@sltrib.com

Twitter @tribtomwharton Storylines

— Sophomore Lauren Gustin scores 34 points and hauls down 16 rebounds to lead Salem Hills into the semifinals. Jane Nelson adds 18.

— Madison Grange scores 21 and Hannah Anderl adds 18 for Skyline.

— After trailing by 10 in the first half, Salem Hills outscores Skyline 26-8 in the decisive third quarter.