UMS-Wright shot 60 percent from 3-point range, led by as many as 17 points in the third quarter and cruised to a 52-42 win over Geneva in the Class 4A South Regional semifinals on Saturday at Garrett Coliseum.

Terry Canova’s Bulldogs will play either Jackson or Montgomery Catholic at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday for the right to go to the final four. It marks UMS’ ninth trip to the Elite 8 in the last 12 years.

RELATED: Saturday’s regional scores, highlights

“Our kids, all year, have just competed and played hard,” Canova said. “Sometimes I think we do a really good job of disguising our deficiencies by just grinding it out and playing hard.

“Nine trips to this point in 12 years – what more can you ask of your kids and your program? Year in and year out, it’s a new group, new names, new strengths, new weaknesses, but they play their guts out and here we are again.”

UMS went 7-of-18 from 3-point range, including 3-of-6 from Amelia Meador. Elizabeth Meador also hit two 3-pointers.

“The irony is we played in the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans this year and shot 5-of-10 from 3-point range. We shot better than the Pelicans there,” Canova joked. “I don’t know if there is a rhyme or reason to it. We just try to instill a confidence in them. There is no quit in this team.

“We’ve got two really, really good 3-point shooters and one (Sadie Knight) didn’t make a 3 today and Elizabeth made only two, so the other five really came from players who aren’t normally our best 3-point shooters. Amelia was incredible tonight.”

Noel Freeman, who missed nine games this season with an injury and only returned for the subregional game, led the Bulldogs with 20 points and 14 rebounds.

“Unbelievable,” Canova said. “I really think, in the long run, the time she was out helped our team because it gave others a chance to step up. Ellie Mostellar became a lot more confident. She’s a tremendous defender. When Noel came back, it made us that much better. She’s been tremendous.”

Amelia Meador followed Freeman with 11 points. Bailey Washington and Mostellar each had four assists. UMS (29-5) tied its season high for wins in Canova’s 17 years at the school. The Bulldogs will try to break that win total and make the final four for the third time in his tenure on Tuesday.

Cheyenne Hammock led Geneva with 11 points. Simone Minnifield had 10.

UMS outrebounded Geneva 43-35.