The Helias Lady Crusaders made their first shot Friday night, then missed missed their next 15 the remainder of the first quarter.
And they still led the Rolla Lady Bulldogs heading into the second quarter.
Defense is a wonderful thing.
"We try to sell our kids on how important defense is and this is a great example," Helias coach Doug Light said after the Lady Crusaders downed the Rolla Lady Bulldogs 43-13 at Rackers Fieldhouse.
There are going to be nights like Friday when the ball just won't go through the basket. But defensive effort is something you can control each and every game.
"The kids have bought into playing defense, we stress it so much and we're getting better at it in every practice and every game," Light said.
Molly Light drilled a 3-pointer less than 30 seconds into the game to give the Lady Crusaders the lead for good. But other than three free throws from Luci Francka, that was all the scoring for Helias in the opening quarter.
But Rolla wasn't able to dent the scoreboard until 2:40 remained in the quarter and finished 1-of-7 from the field as Helias led 6-2.
The Lady Crusaders missed their first two shots of the second quarter to run the string to 17 before finally finding their range. Helias was 7-for-11 the rest of the half and took a 25-7 advantage into halftime.
On the other side, Rolla again was 1-of-7 from the field in the quarter and committed 10 turnovers.
Despite the double-digit lead, Doug Light said he wasn't comfortable about the final outcome.
"We talked about how we needed to have a good start to the second half because if they scored a couple of quick ones, they'd be right back in it," he said.
Well, Helias didn't. But Rolla didn't either.
The two teams combined to score just five points in the first 5:55 of the third quarter. Helias closed the quarter with a 5-0 spurt and took a 34-10 advantage into the final period.
"Our funk went on for such a long time in the third quarter," Light said.
Helias scored the first nine points of the fourth quarter and the mercy clock was in effect for the final six minutes.
"I wasn't expecting a running clock," Light said. "I've seen Rolla a couple of times and they've looked good in stretches and with what we were missing tonight, I just wasn't sure."
Helias played without two all-district post players Darcy Baird (injury) and Mai Nienhueser (illness).
"We're hoping to have both of them back in practice early next week, at least back by the tournament," Light said.
Helias (3-2, ranked No. 2 in Class 4 by the Missouri Basketball Coaches Association) is off until Saturday, Dec. 27 when the Lady Crusaders will take on the Eureka Lady Wildcats in the opening round of the State Farm Holiday Hoops Invitational at Rackers Fieldhouse.
"We're going to take a couple of days off, practice a couple of days, then take a couple of more days off," Light said. "I've been through preparing for this tournament so many times now, I've figured out it's important for the girls to take a break and get to spend some time with their families."
Megan Studdard scored nine of Rolla's 13 points as the Lady Bulldogs fell to 0-7.
Helias won Friday night's two-quarter JV game 17-12. Ella Ward led Helias with six points.