The Lady Vikings used an explosive third quarter effort Thursday in Sanford to earn a 59-40 victory against Overhills in the Cape Fear Valley Conference tournament semifinals.

After leading 29-26 at intermission, captains Crystal Hicks and Tyler Ross spurred the Vikes on to an amazing third quarter performance in which they outscored the third-seeded Jaguars 23-4.

Hicks, a 5-foot-9 senior point forward finished with 13 points and three steals in the frame. Meanwhile, Ross tallied six points, six boards and three assists as Union Pines carried a commanding 52-30 lead into the final quarter.

With the victory, Union Pines improved to 19-6 on the season and advances to its third straight CFVC tournament final. Overhills dropped to 18-7 with the loss.

Hicks had a huge all-around night with 23 points, 10 rebounds, seven steals and six assists. Ross dominated down low on her way to a 17-point, 22-rebound double-double. The 5-foot-11 junior forward also finished with five assists and three steals.

Senior guard Alex Paris hit two timely treys during a pivotal Union Pines run late in the second quarter and finished the game with eight points. Sophomore center Tiffany Hicks also scored eight for the Vikes.

The defending tourney champion Lady Vikings will take the floor Friday at 6 p.m. in the title tilt against top-seed and CFVC regular season champion Southern Lee (21-3) at Westover High School. The Cavaliers notched a 56-45 victory over fourth seed Douglas Byrd (8-13) in Thursday's second semifinal in Sanford.

Contact F.W. Manning II at frankwm2@gmail.com.