The top-seeded Stags (18-1) used their defense to overcome a slow start and a poor shooting performance as they defeated the eighth-seeded Rams (11-9) in a Class A South quarterfinal at the Portland Expo.

Kylie Lamson (13 points, two 3-pointers) and Rachel LaSalle (12 points, three 3-pointers) led the way for Cheverus, which advances to play No. 4 Biddeford in the semifinals on Thursday.

Zoe Dellinger scored 12 points for Gorham. Lauren Dunbar added 11 second-half points.

Both teams converted less than 30% of their shots from the field but were good from the free-throw line. Cheverus was 10 for 14, while Gorham was 8 for 12.