Phoenix Christian knew the stakes coming into the game Tuesday.

A ticket for the state tournament.

It used to be part of the post season for the Cougars, who had been to the playoffs 15 straight years until last season.

Now they're back after a 58-31 victory over Tempe Prep.

“I’m so excited to go,'' said Mawe Rivero, who scored 17 points and grabbed five rebounds.

"This is a big deal,” said the director of athletics compliance and operations, Shane Sluga.

“To me, it’s a big deal cause it’s a return to where we should be.”

The Cougars defeated Tempe Prep for the foruth time this season.

“Last time we beat them we beat them by only by five  and this time we beat them by 27, I’m really proud of the team,” said Galilea Rivero, who scored 10 points, grabbed eight rebounds and had seven steals.

Hungry and fearless, the Cougars took control of the game from the first possession to the last one.

They led 27-13 at halftime behind a team effort in which everybody contributed.

“When you come to playoff you might have a six, seven, eight men rotation not everyone is going of getting in, but tonight the starters set the tone and allowed the whole team to play tonight, so it was a team effort,” said coach Tara Poovey.

“When I can play all players in the playoff games, that shows a good team.”

The Cougars (13-5) open tournament play Friday in Prescott.