Fatima tried to rally late, but the California girls basketball team hit late free throws to hold on for a 58-50 win Monday.
Kayla Allison of California made 5-of-6 from the free throw line in the final two minutes.
Elizabeth Lutz added a pair of free throws in the final 30 seconds.
"(Kayla) messed her finger up last night in practice, so for her to come up to the free throw line and step up and hit those shots and handle the ball the way she did, kind of shows the heart that young lady has," California coach Bobby Sangster said.
A 3-pointer from Allison put the Lady Pintos ahead 44-31 with 6:14 remaining, but Fatima got back in it with a 6-0 spurt in the next minute.
A California turnover turned into a 3-pointer for Erin Eichholz with 5:31 remaining.
About 30 seconds later, Eichholz knocked down another 3 off a California turnover to cut it to 44-37.
"Those girls know how to fight, they know how to scrap," Sangster said. "That's what makes them such a tough out in such a tough game."
Fatima had two chances on its next possession to cut its deficit to five, but two missed shots and Allison collecting the loose ball allowed the Lady Pintos to keep the seven-point advantage.
A Lutz 3 later extended the lead to 12 with 3:13 remaining.
Fatima was able to get back within nine with 1:15 remaining after a Sammey Bunch layup, but three Allison free throws and two free throws from Lutz kept Fatima at bay.
California got the 3-pointer going early, going 3-for-6 in the first quarter.
Allison gave the Lady Pintos a 7-5 lead at the 4:05 mark of the first quarter with a 3 from the corner.
About 20 seconds later, Lutz stole the ball near half court and got a layup at the other end.
Lutz made it 12-5 at the 3:05 mark with a 3 from the wing.
Ashtyn Goans chipped in a 3 with 25 seconds remaining in the first quarter to give the Lady Pintos a 15-9 lead heading into the second quarter.
"We've got good shooters," Sangster said. "They are taking good shots. Whether its the three ball or its the inside game, we're prepared. I trust the girls that were shooting the shots were the right girls and they were taking good ones. Even the ones that didn't fall, they are still girls that have three-point ability."
Lutz led the Lady Pintos with 17 points.
Allison added 15 and Mara Caudel added 12 points.
Caudel scored nine in the second quarter alone.
"It as kind of in spurts," Spangster said. "Elizabeth had her time to shine, Mara had her time to shine, Kayla had her time to shine and girls chipped in throughout the night. We want that balance."
Brittney Ellington of Fatima scored 16 points. Bunch also scored 16.
California will play in the Eldon Tournament starting Thursday against North Tech. Game time is 4:30 p.m.
Carl Junction and Christian are on California's side of the bracket. Carl Junction is ranked fourth in Class 4.
Eldon, Fox, Fox's JV team and Hogan Prep are on the other side of the bracket.
"A lot of unknowns to be honest with you," Sangster said. "We open with North Technical out of St. Louis. I don't know much about them. I know they've played a lot of very large schools. ... (Carl Junction) is very big, they shoot the three, they run, they are pretty tough. We're going there to get better."