Selma quickly recovered from a shaky start to beat Chelsea 66-37 on Thursday in the Class 5A Central Sub-Regional women’s basketball tournament.

Both teams started shaky with multiple turnovers and an inability to capitalize. The first quarter remained tight until Keisha Moore was fouled on a made 3-pointer.

She hit the free throw to earn a rare 4-point play and put Selma ahead 14-8.

“I feel like that shot might’ve opened things up for us,” said Selma coach Anthony Harris.

The Saints opened the second quarter with an 8-0 run capped by a Moore layup to extend the lead to 24-12.

Rachel Weinke and Rebecca Simpson hit a jump shot and layup to trim the deficit to 24-16, but Selma answered with a 9-2 run highlighted by a Moore steal and layup to make it 33-18.

Trailing 37-22 at the intermission, Chelsea coach Wayne Trucks felt that the game was still manageable. Then, Selma made its first four shots of the third quarter, and Chelsea did not.

“They hit shots, we didn’t,” said Trucks. “It doesn’t get any simpler than that.”

Selma closed the third quarter with a 13-2 run to take a 52-28 lead into the final frame. A 10-2 run capped by a Grimes steal and layup secured the win in style.

Grimes led the Saints (27-5) with 21 points and 10 rebounds. Moore added 12 and Kamesha Strong finished with nine.

Rebecca Simpson led the Hornets (12-17) with 11 points.