Talisha McNeill starts a fast break Tuesday night for the CFCA girls.

Cape Fear Christian Academy’s varsity girls basketball team had lost twice in the regular season to Northwood Temple Academy but fifth-seeded CFCA took a 51-34 victory at fourth-seeded NTA in the first round of the Sandhills Athletic Conference tournament on Tuesday night.

CFCA had a 23-0 run that started in the second quarter that pushed its lead from 8-7 to 31-7.

“These girls don’t know how quick they are, but we were the quicker team tonight,” said CFCA coach Bobby Lamb. “We played well defensively.”

Post player Zykia Matthews had 19 points. Talisha McNeill and Kristen Bass scored 12 points each for CFCA. Meredith Taylor had six points and Laney Trainer scored two.

The Eagles advance to play top-seeded Trinity Christian in the semifinals at Freedom Christian on Friday at 3:30 p.m. The semis were postponed from Thursday to Friday due to the possibility of bad weather.

NTA wins boys game

A 63-52 loss at fourth-seeded NTA knocked the fifth-seeded CFCA varsity boys out of the Sandhills tournament. The CFCA boys will learn their seeding for the NCISAA 1-A tournament on Sunday.

Paul Tako had 17 points and nine rebounds for CFCA on Tuesday night. Austin Locklear added 14 points.

CFCA fouled in the late stages to stop the clock and NTA made 15 free throws in the fourth quarter to outscore the visitors 28-18 in the final period.

Senior Kristen Bass scored 12 points in a 51-34 win for the CFCA girls.

Ella John Dupree contributed playmaking and defense for CFCA.