UTICA – Heather Moak and Destiny Allen scored 11 points apiece in leading the West Lincoln Lady Bears to a 37-23 Tuesday win against the Vicksburg St. Aloysius Lady Flashes, in the opening round of the Region 7-1A Tournament. The victory advances Wes Lincoln to Thursday’s semifinals game against No. 1 seed Hinds AHS at 7 p.m.

The No. 1-seeded West Lincoln boys play St. Al at 5:30 Thursday. St. Al eliminated Natchez Cathedral yesterday.

The Lady Bears (10-17), coached by Lane Young, overcame a 2-point first quarter to eliminate the Lady Flashes. They got 9 rebounds from Allen. Katie Hester and Bentley Sills each had 5 rebounds. Hester made 5 steals and Allen had 4.

“We wanted to go out and really play hard and work together to get a win,” said Coach Young. “Our desire to win in the fourth quarter may have been the best all year. I am really proud of the way we played.”

Young said it was the 11th straight year for the Lady Bears to gain a berth in next week’s South Mississippi playoffs. Win or lose Thursday, they’ll play again Friday, either in the consolation or championship games.

St. Al got 10 points from Allie Willis.