FREDONIA — The Southwestern girls basketball team was seeking its 17th Section VI championship in program history Thursday night.

It sure didn’t take the Trojans long to make the outcome all but a foregone conclusion in the Class B title game.

Sparked by a 15-1 run to end the first quarter, No. 2 Southwestern built a huge early lead and it coasted to a 56-32 victory over No. 8 Eden at SUNY Fredonia.

Gianna Sirianni scored 21 points and Charlotte Beaver added 12 to pace the Trojans (17-7), who now advance to the Far West Regional at 6 p.m. next Wednesday at Gates-Chili High School in Rochester.

Southwestern head coach Kay Sirianni wouldn’t mind a similar start against the Section V champ next week to the one she observed last night at Dods Hall.

“I think that’s been a point of emphasis in practice that we really have to go out and light a fire right at the beginning,” she said. “I think our press and pressure created a couple turnovers and some easy baskets for us.”

Gianna Sirianni scored five seconds after the opening tip, and Jada Ewards and Charlotte Beaver both drilled 3-pointers to help the Trojans open a 9-0 lead in a little more than a minute. After Eden closed to within 11-6, Southwestern ended the period by putting on a clinic at both ends of the court, especially defensively.

It was as easy as 2-2-1.

During the decisive run, Gianna Sirianni drilled a 3-pointer, scored on a traditional three-point play and then converted a layup on a feed from Edwards. When Carly Charles ended the period with a field goal, the Trojans’ lead had ballooned to 26-7.

“That helps build intensity,” Coach Sirianni said of the strong finish to the first eight minutes. “You know how it is: you hit a couple big shots, it gets the team hyped and they just kept attacking.”

In the quarter, Southwestern shot 9 of 18 from the floor and forced eight Eden turnovers. By halftime, the Trojans’ lead had ballooned to 38-15, leaving little doubt about the game’s outcome, although they managed just 18 points after the break.

“We just slowed down with our intensity,” Coach Sirianni said. “We got some good shots in the second half, but we just couldn’t finish.”

That will be a point of emphasis heading into next week’s regional matchup.

“We’ve been there (before). We know the competition is going to be tough,” Coach Sirianni said. “I’m proud of these girls. We have seven or eight girls and they’re small, but they play with a lot of heart. … Whatever happens, happens.”

NOTES: Southwestern forced 26 turnovers, highlighted by five steals apiece by Edwards and Marlana Cresanti. … Cresanti also grabbed five rebounds and Braya Beaver was credited with four. … Leading the way for Eden (16-8) was Libby Gernatt with 14 points. … The Cross Training Character Athletes of the Game were Braya Beaver of Southwestern and Gabby Koszelak of Eden.

EDEN (32)

Steward 0 0 0, Mullins 0 0 0, Waring 0 0 0, Rockwood 0 0 0, Richards 2 1 6, Gernatt 6 1 14, Donovan 1 2 4, Koszelak 1 0 2, Grieco 0 0 0, Scott 3 0 6, Korst 0 0 0, Wakelam 0 0 0, Totals 13 4 32.

SOUTHWESTERN (56)

Sirianni 8 2 21, Cresanti 2 2 6, Charles 1 0 2, BBeaver 2 4 8, Edwards 2 0 5, CBeaver 5 0 12, Ricker 1 0 2, Totals 21 8 56.

3-point goals — Richards, Crewnatt, Sirianni 3, Edwards, CBeaver 2.

Eden 7 8 9 8 — 32

Southwestern 26 12 15 3 — 56