The Nansemond-Suffolk Academy girls’ basketball team easily advanced to the conference tournament semifinals by defeating visiting Hampton Roads Academy 71-27 in Tuesday’s quarterfinals.

“They weren’t able to handle our defensive pressure,” NSA coach Kim Aston said of the No. 8 Lady Navigators. “We got a lot of points off of our defense.”

The Lady Saints opened up a 24-4 lead in the first quarter, after which “we took the press off, and we played our subs last night more than we have in any game all year.”

Nansemond-Suffolk senior guard Harper Birdsong finished with a game-high 21 points to go with four rebounds, four assists and three steals. Aston pulled her four minutes into the third quarter and rested her for the remainder of the game.

Lady Saints senior center Caroline Hogg ended up with 16 points and seven blocks.

“Lindsay (Knierbein) and Logan (Harrell) and Kelly (Hogan) were all able to pressure the ball and come up with a lot of steals,” Aston said.

Hogan, a junior forward, finished with seven steals, Knierbein, a junior guard, finished with six and Harrell, a junior guard, finished with three.

“Last night, I felt like when we were put our subs in, they were able to stay right with the game plan and really didn’t miss a beat,” Aston said. “We beat (the Lady Navigators) every quarter soundly, and it didn’t matter what kids were on the floor playing.”

The coach’s sister, junior guard Mary Catherine Aston, went 2-for-2 from the floor, while senior guard Anna Vastardis shot 50 percent from the field and went 2-for-2 from the line.

“Madi Goldberg, who is a senior guard, hit a three, which was the first three of her career,” Coach Aston said.

No. 1 Nansemond-Suffolk (20-3) faces No. 4 Norfolk Christian on Thursday at 5:30 p.m. at Norfolk Christian School.