The Nansemond-Suffolk Academy girls’ basketball team took one step closer on Thursday to achieving one of its principal goals this season — winning the TCIS tournament title.

The No. 1 Lady Saints trailed early on against No. 4 Norfolk Christian in Thursday’s conference tournament semifinals but then gradually pulled away for a 52-38 victory at Norfolk Christian School.

NSA coach Kim Aston said she thought her team showed resolve, though it was out of sorts offensively. She gave some praise to the Lady Ambassador’s defense.

“They were doing some things to try to keep Harper (Birdsong) from initiating the offense,” Aston said. “We never really got into a great rhythm, but we were able to get into enough of a rhythm to win the game. So, I think we showed a lot of perseverance.”

Norfolk Christian held an 11-10 lead after the first quarter, but then the Lady Saints won each advancing period, leading 23-21 at halftime and 36-29 after the third quarter before winning by 14.

“Defensively, I thought we did a nice job,” Aston said.

She hopes her team can produce a better offensive showing in Saturday’s conference tournament final, but she was pleased with what senior center Caroline Hogg was able to accomplish on Thursday.

“Caroline had a really good game,” Aston said. “She rebounded the ball well, and she was able to score some points inside and able to keep us afloat for a while there.”

Hogg finished with 17 points, shooting 70 percent from the field. She also grabbed 11 rebounds and blocked five shots.

“Kelly (Hogan) is always a workhorse, so she was on the boards,” Aston said of the junior forward, who registered 16 rebounds to go with nine points.

Hogan and Hogg combined for 10 of NSA’s 13 offensive rebounds, though the baker’s dozen did not all necessarily translate into points.

“We need to generate a few more points off of offensive rebounds,” Aston said.

The coach also noted that “we had way too many turnovers at the guard position,” which accounted for 20 of the Lady Saints’ 27 turnovers.

Aston said Nansemond-Suffolk senior guard Harper Birdsong shot the ball well, but in part because of the Lady Ambassadors’ defense, “she just didn’t get too many shots.”

Birdsong ended up with 17 points, as well as nine rebounds, five assists and two blocks.

NSA (21-3) faces No. 2 Cape Henry Collegiate School on Saturday in the Tidewater Conference of Independent Schools tournament championship.

The Lady Saints have defeated the Lady Dolphins in both of their previous meetings this season. On Jan. 12, the host Lady Saints won 67-55 in overtime, and they won 51-35 on the road on Feb. 11.

Saturday’s title game is set for 4 p.m. at Norfolk Christian School on 255 Thole St. in Norfolk.