BETHANY — Since Scott Bacon started coaching at Cerro Gordo he's started every season with two goals: win 20 games and a regional title.

This Friday the Broncos (19-8) will have a chance at securing both after defeating Bement 64-52 in an Okaw Valley Regional semifinal Wednesday night.

"I was hoping the 20 would have come already, but we are where we want to be," Bacon said. "We came up short last year and were in this exact same position, except we lost in the semifinal. We talked a lot about that this week, and I thought the guys came out with a lot of urgency."

Cerro Gordo pressured its way to the win, turning a six-point lead into 20 by halftime thanks to an extended man defense.

Leading 18-11 after the first quarter, the Broncos opened the second with a fullcourt trap that forced six turnovers and held Bement without a field goal for four minutes.

Cerro Gordo orchestrated a 15-4 run during that span and outscored the Bulldogs 21-8 in the quarter.

"The second quarter was tough," Bement coach Kraig Rogers said. "We just didn't play well. Against their press we didn't cut very hard and were just trotting to passes. That led to a few turnovers, and they got a few bunnies on us."

The Broncos created an all-around tough offensive night for Bement.

The Bulldogs shot 35 percent from the field, and their leading scorer, Connor Gross, had four points through three quarters.

"We defended better," Bacon said. "We held Gross to eight touches in the first half and no points. It was just outstanding defense by Kaleb Krigbaum, Cody Woollen and Cole Blickensderfer early."

Senior Tim Weaver led the Broncos with 13 points. Woollen added 11, and Seth Throneburg, Josh Hayes and Austin Crist provided seven points apiece.

Gross scored 15 in the fourth quarter and finished with a game-high 19 points. Bement also picked up 11 points from Steve Isbell.

Cerro Gordo will play for a regional title Friday against Arthur, a 50-46 winner against Okaw Valley. The last time the program won a regional championship was 1974.