On the surface, there didn’t seem to be a lot of room for hope Friday night, even though Bossier led by one point with .8 seconds to play. Bossier head coach Jeremiah Williams said St. Louis’ “best free-throw shooter” was at the line to shoot a trio of freebies after he was fouled during a 3-point attempt in a Class 3A quarterfinal game in Lake Charles.

After the first two attempts split, the third rolled off the rim — but right into the arms of another Saint. The quick putback rolled into the cylinder … and out.

The Kardiac Kats had done it again.

“Divine intervention,” said Williams, whose team has won its three playoff games by a total of six points.

Bossier’s 49-48 victory sent them to the Top 28 — for the 10th time – where they will face University Lab (U-High) on Thursday at 6:15 back in Lake Charles.

Kentrell Hardy led Bossier (26-7) with 23 points, including five 3-pointers.

“We’re having one of those years,” Williams said. “The games have been close because we’re letting them be close; not smart down the stretch.”

What does Williams know about U-High (28-7)?

“We know they can play,” he said. “They beat the first-place team in St. Louis’ district by 20 points. We just had a war with second-place team. We aren’t scoreboard watching, that’s just the truth.

“But we’re surviving – that’s the law of the playoffs, isn’t it? Survive and advance.”