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Bogan let Dunbar go into the locker room with a little momentum Tuesday night, but the Bengals quickly thwarted any hopes of an upset bid, scoring nine points in the first 95 seconds of the third quarter.

Luwane Pipkins started the surge with a three-pointer before Sam Robinson scored on a fast-break layup. Juwan Henry and Sam Robinson then scored off steals.

By the time the Bengals were done, it was a 13-0 half-opening run and the rout was on. Bogan went on to a 74-44 win in a Class 4A Richards Regional semifinal.

“Our defense sets the tone for us,” Pipkins said. “When we get steals and get going in transition, we’re good. When [Dunbar] went on that run, we didn’t rush anything. Everyone started rolling in the third.”

Pipkins finished with 20 points. Henry added 14 and Mysirell Green contributed 13 points and six rebounds for the Bengals (17-9), who will meet Curie in Friday’s final.

Bogan coach Arthur Goodwin was especially happy with the play of Green and Sam Robinson (eight points) in the paint.

“We play better when we get something from our big guys,” he said. “We’ve had a lot of games where Luwane scores 25 and Juwan scores 20 and our bigs don’t score. When we get that scoring from our big guys, we can play with anybody.”

James Simmons (14 points), Steven Hudson (seven points) and Koreyante Robinson (seven points) led Dunbar (17-9).

Bogan forced nine first-quarter turnovers in racing to an 18-7 lead after one.

“We just wanted to come out fast,” Pipkins said. “We got some turnovers and got going.”

Bryce Barnes added eight points for Bogan.

Looking ahead to Friday, Pipkins offered an idea of how the Bengals can upset Curie.

“We just have to cut the head off the snake,” he said. “If we stop Cliff [Alexander], it’s over.”