VANDALIA — The old adage that defense wins titles held true for the Wyoming girls Wednesday night in the Division III regional semifinals.

        The Cowboys easily defeated Highland 52-36 at Vandalia Butler High School.

        Wyoming, which won the state title in 1996, advanced to the regional finals for the first time since 1997. It will play Versailles (25-0) for the regional title at 1:30 p.m. Saturday.

        Wyoming's defense helped it cruise to a 30-7 lead at halftime after forcing 17 turnovers and limiting Highland to two field goals. Wyoming led by as many as 23 in the second half.

        “We trapped well, hit our shots and basically just followed our game plan in the first half,” Wyoming coach Deb Gentile said.

        The tone was set early. Highland turned the ball over on its first three possessions and didn't score until the 5:12 mark.

        The Cowboys outscored Highland 17-2 in the second quarter behind hot shooting from senior guard Jenni McGee. She hit two straight 3-pointers to cap an 8-0 run to start the quarter.

        “We wanted to come out strong in the game but I started slowly. My three at the end of the first quarter kind of lifted me,” McGee said. “They left me open in the second quarter and one shot led to another.”

        McGee finished the first half with 13 points and three 3-pointers.

        Highland made a brief run in the second half but got no closer than 46-35 with 2:37 left in the game.

        “We played no defense in the second half. For some reason we were in a big hurry to shoot the ball and that almost let them back into the game,” Gentile said.

        McGee led all scorers with 15 points and Maria McCarthy added 14.

        “This game was special for me and Maria. This is the farthest we've advanced in our four years,” McGee said.

        WYOMING (52) — Hoyles 3 2 8, Verhaeghe 4 1 9, McCarthy 7 0 14, Bell 1 0 2, McGee 5 2 15, Loper 2 0 4. Totals: 22 5 52.

        HIGHLAND (36) — Baughman 4 1 9, McCann 2 2 6, Higgins 1 0 2, Baer 3 6 11. Totals: 13 9 36.

        Wyoming ....... 13  17  12  10—52

        Highland ....... 5  2  12  17—36

        Three-pointers: W-McGee 3. H-Baer 2. Records: W 21-3, H 21-4.

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