CANANDAIGUA — It's still not March.

But the North Country Community College men's basketball team created some madness of its own Tuesday.

Frane Larose scored 23 of his game-high 27 points in the first half as the seventh-seeded Saints stunned No. 2 Finger Lakes Community College 68-62 in a Region III quarterfinal.

North Country will face No. 3 Jefferson Community College, a 90-77 winner over Cayuga Community College, in the program's first regional semifinal Saturday.

"It was just a great team effort," Saints (21-10) coach Chad LaDue said. "Just kept scrapping, kept fighting and was able to hold on. Just very excited for the program and these kids."

North Country drilled eight 3-pointers in the first half, and it held the Lakers to 29.7 percent shooting in the first 20 minutes.

By the halftime break, Larose had already converted 10-of-14 field goals for 23 points, and the Saints held a commanding 46-27 lead.

"The first half, we really shot it well," LaDue said. "Played very well defensively, holding them to one shot."

Finger Lakes' shooting woes continued in the second half, but the Lakers (20-8) were able to put together some stops.

Finger Lakes held North Country to 7-of-28 shooting in the final 20 minutes, and Jonathan Range accumulated 18 second-half points.

"They went ahead and tried to pick up the pressure a little bit," LaDue said. "They're a good team. They're (20-8) for a reason.

"They made their run, and we were able to hold it off. Just could not be prouder of this group."

In 30 minutes, Brian Donaire totaled 14 points and 14 rebounds to complete the double-double.

"Just extremely happy," LaDue said. "Happy and proud of this group (and) what they've been able to accomplish.

"I just want to say that we feel that we're not done."