Pella Christian used aggressive defense to rack up 26 points in the 3rd quarter of a 57-37 home victory over North Mahaska in the Class 2A girls regional quarterfinals round.

A sluggish first half was plagued with turnovers and missed shots, but the Eagles flew out of the halftime break with renewed intensity after the Warhawks came within one possession early in the third frame. Three straight steals just after the six-minute mark turned into six quick points, and PC never looked back.

Morgan Fopma was the spark of the Eagles momentum with 13 points and five rebounds in the third frame alone, and tells KNIA/KRLS Sports the halftime adjustment from the coaching staff was to ramp up the defensive pressure, and it worked to get their scoring going.

Fopma finished with 17 points and eight boards, and Brooke Mitrisin tacked on 14 points of her own. Pella Christian had 15 team steals as well.

The Eagles are 14-8 and host Montezuma Friday in the regional semifinals.