St. Jude used a 27-3 third quarter run to put R.C. Hatch away 71-37 in the Class 2A Central Regional Tournament on Friday.

“I don’t think they were really ready to play,” said R.C. Hatch coach John Abraham. “We didn’t shoot the ball good. We didn’t play solid defense like we should.”

The Pirates held a distinct advantage at the half with a 38-22 lead, but that wasn’t enough to satisfy St. Jude coach Karimah Collins. She did not want a tight, contested second half, stressed that point during at the intermission.

“Even though we were up by (16), I told them that’s not enough,” Collins said. “People cane go on runs, and I told them, ‘we’ve got to push the score so we can relax and play ball, and enjoy our road to Birmingham.”

The Pirates responded to Collins’ pep talk with their biggest run of the contest, keyed by 15 points off Bobcat turnovers. With the buzzer sounded, St. Jude held a 65-27 lead and was well en route to Birmingham.

“We came back the third quarter and it was like they just lost it,” said Abraham. “We practiced on their press all day (Thursday) on their press, and they still did the same thing. They still came out and turned the ball over.”

The Pirates held a 20-11 turnover advantage, leading to 25 for their 71 points. They also shot 57 percent from the floor compared to the Bobcats’ 26 percent. They also

R.C. Hatch opened the fourth quarter with a 10-0 run to make the score 64-37, but the writing was already on the wall.

“Two more to go. That’s it,” Collins said. “Unfinished business.”

Three Saint Jude players scored in double figures, led by 29 from Sundray Davis. Teralesha Baity added 18 and Tralisa Williams finished with 13.

Da’Quciha Coleman led the Bobcats with 13 points.