Up by double digits early in the fourth quarter, things could have been comfortable for the Jefferson City Lady Jays.
But a potential case of foul trouble was hanging over their heads. Five players had at least three fouls and two of them had four midway through the final period of Monday night's game against the Helias Lady Crusaders at Fleming Fieldhouse.
"It was the next person up and we had some kids come in and do some good things," Jefferson City coach Brad Conway said after the Lady Jays topped the Lady Crusaders 53-35. "Helias came ready to play, they fought to the end and we had to work hard to get this win.
"We kept playing and kept fighting. We got some stops when we needed them and we got some baskets when we needed them."
Up by eight at the start of the fourth quarter, Caitlin Anderson hit a pair of baskets in the first :35 of the period to give Jefferson City a 39-27 lead. Helias got as close as 10 on a couple of occasions in the fourth quarter, but Jefferson City was 6-of-9 from the field and 6-of-6 at the line in the period to hold on for the victory.
"I thought we played hard, we executed," Helias coach Sarah Eagan said. "But their athleticism gave us trouble."
After Luci Francka of Helias opened the scoring with a free throw, Jefferson City rattled off 12 straight points to lead by 11 with a little less than three minutes to go in the first quarter.
Helias was hampered inside when starting post player Mai Nienhueser was forced to sit after picking up two early fouls. The Lady Jays took advantage and got 18 first-half points from its inside players.
"Their post play was tough for us to handle," Eagan said.
Helias cut the deficit to 14-7 at the end of the first quarter. Jefferson City, using a full-court press, was able to force turnovers on three straight Helias possessions early in the second quarter to get its lead to 24-9.
But the Lady Crusaders were able to settle down and got as close as 10 before the Lady Jays took a 30-18 lead into halftime.
"Once we started looking down the court and attacking, we didn't have as much trouble with it," Eagan said.
The teams combined to go 4-of-20 from the field in the third quarter and Jefferson City led 35-27 with one period to play.
"We got caught being complacent," Conway said. "Our movement wasn't very good. They showed us something different and we didn't react to it."
Anderson and Nicole Martin finished with 16 points each to top Jefferson City (16-3), who have won eight straight games.
"We've been plodding along, but the little things are happening for us to win," Conway said. "We're working together and the players are starting to grasp what we're trying to do offensively and defensively.
"But I like the way we're making progress."
Jefferson City will play Friday at Webster Groves.
Francka finished with 12 points to lead Helias (10-6, ranked No. 10 in Class 4).
"I'm proud of our effort," Eagan said. "I thought we played well."
Helias will start play Thursday in the Lebanon Tournament against St. Charles. Game time is 7:30 p.m.
Jefferson City won Monday's JV game 30-22.