ROLLA - The defense did its job Tuesday night for the Helias Lady Crusaders.
The offense just wasn't able to keep up.
Helias went for more than 19 minutes of game time between field goals and dropped a 47-37 decision to the Owensville Dutchgirls in Class 4 sectional action at Missouri S&T.
"I think we got a little rattled and we couldn't get back into rhythm," Helias coach Sarah Eagan said.
A 3-pointer by Ashley Rehagen with 3:05 left in the first half gave Helias a 17-14 advantage. But by the time Helias got its next field goal, also a 3-pointer by Rehagen, there was :55 left in the game. That bucket cut Owensville's lead to 39-34.
In the third quarter, Helias was 0-of-6 from the field with six turnovers. But thanks to Helias' strong defense, Owensville wasn't able to take advantage.
The Dutchgirls, who scored the final four points of the first half to take an 18-17 lead into intermission, held a slim 28-24 advantage going into the final period.
But the offensive struggles finally caught up with Helias in the fourth quarter. The Lady Crusaders were 7-of-8 from the line in the third quarter, but were 6-of-10 in the fourth to go along with seven turnovers and a 2-of-5 performance from the field.
Owensville was 11-of-15 at the line in the fourth quarter to seal the victory. The Dutchgirls led by as many as 13 points in the fourth quarter.
Mai Nienhueser had nine points in the first quarter for the Lady Crusaders as the game was tied at 11 heading into the second period. But the senior sat out much of the second quarter with foul trouble and when she got back into the game in the second half, the Dutchgirls were ready.
"They were basically triple-teaming her every time she got the ball," Eagan said.
Helias finished with 24 turnovers in the game, which Owensville converted into 25 of its 47 points. Owensville finished with 14 steals in the contest.
Hailey Diestelkamp totaled 20 points to pace Owensville (23-5), which will play Carl Junction (26-2) on Saturday in the quarterfinals at Bolivar. Carl Junction defeated Hillcrest 52-41 in its sectional Tuesday night.
Nienhueser led Helias with 12 points, while Rehagen pulled down a team-high five rebounds.
Helias ends its season at 16-12.