GARLAND ­ South Oak Cliff is a game away from a fourth consecutive trip to the state tournament after putting the defensive clamps on Whitehouse, 53-49, in the Class 4A Region II semifinals.

The win sets up a rematch of last year's Class 4A Region II final won by South Oak Cliff, 43-41. Highland Park and South Oak Cliff play at 3 p.m today at the Garland Special Events Center.

After trailing by eight at halftime, South Oak Cliff outscored Whitehouse, 34-22, in the second half, holding Whitehouse to just nine points on three field goals in the fourth quarter.

J'Mison "Bobo" Morgan led South Oak Cliff (22-8) with 16 points and was a huge defensive presence in the middle with his shot-blocking ability. Brandon Jones scored 11, all but two in the second half when SOC made its push.

Whitehouse (29-2) was led by forward Jacob Holmen with 18 and point guard Mitch Marquis with 11. Whitehouse's only other loss this season was in overtime to Bossier City (La.).

Whitehouse led by as many as 12 in the first half, even after South Oak Cliff went to a full-court press, and retained a 40-36 lead entering the final quarter. Morgan, a 6-11 LSU signee, converted a three-point play to start an 8-0 run.

Holman hit a 3-pointer with 1:53 left to pull Whitehouse within two, 51-49. However, SOC's defensive pressure kept Whitehouse from scoring the rest of the game.

"We had to turn it up a little bit," Morgan said. "That was the game plan, to put the pressure on them in the second half, but they got up on us and we had to do it a little earlier."