PRICEVILLE — West Morgan found its stride in the second half of the Morgan County boys semifinal game, resulting in a 65-58 win over Hartselle. A 40-point effort from Brandon Roberts was the difference.

The Tigers dominated the first half, finding an edge on a six-point run, followed by a 10-point run, leaving West Morgan trailing 34-25 at halftime.

After scoring just 14 points in the first half, Roberts apologized to his Rebels teammates during the break, and came back rolling to help put West Morgan back in the game.

“I was really trying to force it early,” Roberts said. “I told them I was going to take more responsibility to get them more involved and not look for my own shot unless we needed it.”

Roberts answered with 12 points in the third quarter, and opened the fourth with a layup to put West Morgan ahead, 46-45.

Hartselle couldn’t find a shot in the second half and lost the early momentum.

“In the third quarter, it was like there was a lid on the basket. We couldn’t get the ball to go in,” Hartselle coach Keith Wright said. “We were right there where we wanted to be and executed exactly what we wanted to do, we just didn’t put the ball in the basket.”

Dustin Morgan added 11 points for West Morgan (20-4).

For Hartselle (5-15), Timbo Slaton tallied 28 points, and Thomas Fleischman added 14.

West Morgan will play the winner of Brewer and Danville in Saturday’s finals.

Meredith Qualls can be reached at 256-340-2395 or mqualls@decaturdaily.com.