Webb City senior Kaitlin Beason scored eight points in the game's final three minutes as the Cardinals held on to defeat Nixa 59-50 Thursday night in a Central Ozarks Conference Large Division game.

After Webb City (19-4, 5-1 COC Large) squandered a 14point lead in the third quarter, the Eagles (17-8, 4-2) took a 47-45 lead off a pull-up jumper by Toshua Leavitt with 4:21 left.

Webb City's Mikaela Burgess hit a pair of free throws to knot the game at 47.

Then Beason took over.

Off a screen, Beason drilled a 3-pointer to give the Cardinals a 50-47 lead with 2:58 remaining. Soon after, the Cardinals ran another screen for Beason at the top of the key.

This time, Beason faked the shot and drove the lane to give Webb City a 52-47 lead with 2:00 left. The senior, who finished with 16 points, followed by making 3-of-4 free throws down the stretch.

Burgess, who led all scorers with 28 points, scored 19 in the first half to help Webb City take a 36-23 halftime lead.

A Beason 3-pointer gave the Cardinals a 39-25 lead with 6:12 left in the third quarter.

Nixa countered with a 22-6 run. Leavitt, who scored 14 of her team-high 19 points in the second half, hit a 3-pointer to tie the game at 45 with 5:27 left.

Several players stepped up for Webb City beyond points in the box score. Shorter pointed out strong defensive efforts by Beason and Megan Heman, as well as smart play by junior post Desirea Buerge. 

The 6-foot Buerge, who is Webb City's only player taller than 5-8, picked up her fourth foul in the third quarter. Needing her presence inside, Shorter put Buerge back in to start the fourth quarter. Buerge played the entire fourth quarter without fouling. 

"They made their run while she was out of the game," Shorter said. 

"We needed her rebounding ability, her ability to score and all of the things she does. 

Webb City will be at home Monday against Neosho.