The Effingham Lady Hearts needed a strong second half and they got it.

Trailing by a point at halftime, Effingham went on a 14-5 scoring surge in the third quarter to take the lead and went on to post a 47-32 victory Monday night over Centralia in a semifinal game of the Class 3A Troy Triad Regional.

The Lady Hearts led 9-6 after the first period, but were behind 20-19 at intermission.

In the decisive third quarter, Averie Wolfe knocked down a three and scored five points, and Alyssa Martin added four, as EHS turned the deficit into a 33-25 lead heading into the final eight minutes. The Lady Hearts then went on a 14-7 run to secure the win.

Effingham had three players in double figures. Martin and Wolfe both scored 13 points and Sidney Donaldson added 10.

The Lady Hearts, now 24-7, will play for the regional championship Thursday night. They will face Troy Triad at 6:30 p.m. The winner will advance to the Bethalto Civic Memorial Sectional.