The Decatur Heritage girls basketball team faced a first-period deficit but ramped up the defensive acumen as the top-ranked Eagles surged to a 57-34 victory over Belgreen in Tuesday’s Class 2A Northwest Regional semifinal at Wallace State’s Traditions Bank Arena.

“We started off with a lot of energy,” Decatur Heritage coach Johnny Jones said. “I think we had too much and didn’t know how to control it. Everybody was very anxious and we have to do a better job of channeling the energy when the game starts.”

Decatur Heritage (25-7) jumped out to an early 6-2 lead but fell behind 14-12 at the end of the period following a 12-6 run by the Bulldogs, powered by a pair of 3-pointers from Dacota Green and Makenna Fisher.

Lilliana Willingham scored the first bucket of the second period for Belgreen but the Eagles clamped down defensively and forced 10 straight misses from the field. Decatur Heritage surged ahead to 6-point advantage at the break on the strength of an 11-1 run, led by McGhee, who scored six straight points to jumpstart the rally.

The Eagles opened the second half with a game-clinching 23-5 run, fueled by a trio of 3-pointers, and led by as many as 24 points in the third period.

Belgreen (23-9) cut the lead down to 14 points with six minutes remaining, ending a 10-0 run that saw Fisher knock down a pair of triples, but the Eagles responded with a 9-0 run to end any hope of a final rally.

Did you know? Decatur Heritage advanced to its fourth regional final in five seasons and sixth overall.

By the numbers: The Eagles shot 45.1 percent overall and dominated the paint with a plus-24 advantage on inside scoring. Belgreen was 33.3 percent from the field and gave up 26 turnovers — 18 of which were steals by Decatur Heritage — that resulted in 25 points,

Stat sheet: Decatur Heritage – McGhee finished with a game-high 24 points on 10-of-16 shooting, and added 9 rebounds, 4 assists and 8 steals. Leslie Hames had 16 points, 4 rebounds and 3 steals, and Bri Tyson and Emma Eastman each had 5 points and combined for 5 boards. Belgreen – Green led the Bulldogs with 14 points and 3 rebounds, and Lilliana Willingham had 8 points and 6 rebounds. Fisher contributed 9 points and a pair of boards.

Coachspeak: “I think once we found our rhythm, we got to rolling. You saw how we play defense. We’re going to guard you and play hard defense. We can get down and defend, and that defense wears on you as the game goes on.” — Decatur Heritage’s Johnny Jones

“We knew coming into the game that Decatur Heritage…they ain’t No. 1 in the state for nothing. We knew we had to come in and play Goliath. They had a lot of mismatches on the floor. They had good athletes, length around the basket and some great shooters. They are a hard team to guard.” — Belgreen’s Chad Green

They said it: “Attacking and reading the ball before it happens, we’ve been practicing that and putting it into the game really helps.” — Genie McGhee

What’s next? Decatur Heritage will face No. 2 Cold Springs in the Northwest Regional final, 9 a.m., Monday, Feb. 17, at Wallace State’s Traditions Bank Arena.