The Keith Lady Bears broke free of Francis Marion in the third quarter Friday in a 60-40 victory, keeping their recent hot streak going into the postseason.

The sixth-ranked Bears outscored the Rams 21-6 in the third and played many of their reserves in the fourth quarter.

At that point, with the outcome no longer in doubt, they could finally focus on the playoffs, which start Tuesday with the class 1A, area 5 tournament at Keith High School.

“We’ve got a few more things we need iron out defensively and a few more things offensively, but I think we are closer and more prepared than what we were last year,” Keith girls basketball coach Cecil Williams said.

Shatavia Moore scored 20 points to lead the way for the Lady Bears Friday. Seven Bears scored overall.

The Bears play Ellwood Christian Tuesday at 4 p.m.