The Pioneer girls basketball team was able to win three straight heading into the holiday break after starting the season an uncharacteristic 0-4.

But without a game since December 20, coach Crystal Westfield wasn't sure the Pioneers would be able to maintain the momentum they had gained before the long layoff.

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Though there were signs of rust, the Pioneers (4-4, 2-0 SEC Red) were able to get to .500 for the first time all season with a 43-32 win over Skyline on Tuesday.

"We played well considering (the time off between games)," Westfield said. I knew it'd be hard to get back into a flow...but I think they played smart basketball."

Pioneer led 21-16 at half and pulled away with an 11-5 third quarter. Jane Sims led Skyline (3-6, 0-1 SEC Red) with 12 points.

"We were forcing some shots, and whenever you force shots against a good team like Pioneer, you're in trouble," said Skyline coach Keith Wade. "Crystal's got a great program over there. They're head and shoulders above us in terms of preparation."

Brittany Kaplan and Janese Honeycutt each had 10 points for Pioneer. Kaplan also had 10 rebounds, four steals and two blocked shots.

"That's pretty impressive considering she's a point guard," Westfield said of Kaplan.

DEXTER 62, LINCOLN 25

Lindsey Lloyd scored 12 points off the bench to lead Dexter (8-0, 2-0 SEC White).

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"We were able to use our defense to try to create some turnovers and get some quality scoring chances, which we were able to use to extend our lead," Dexter coach Mike Bavineau said.

Emma Kill scored 11 for the Dreadnaughts. Dominique Foley, Arielle Cargor and Katelyn Morris each scored six for Lincoln (5-2, 1-1).

"Our teams seems to have a grasp of the concepts of what we want to do (defensively)," Bavineau said.

HURON 47, MONROE 25

After a dreadful first quarter, after which Huron trailed 6-3, The River Rats outscored Monroe 44-19 in the last three quarters to cruise to victory.

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Devin Talley, Alexis Garner and Payton Sims each scored eight for Huron (4-5).

"The game got a little bit easier for us once we were able to score in the half court," Huron coach Steve Vinson said. "The press is big for us. We forced them into 27 turnovers tonight. Overall it was a good defensive effort."

Taylor Carroll scored eight for Monroe.

GRASS LAKE 61, MANCHESTER 57

Manchester couldn’t hold on to a nine-point halftime lead in its second consecutive loss.

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McKenna Erkfritz had 19 points, 10 rebounds and four assists for Manchester (7-2, 4-2 Cascades). Sydney Cook’s 18 points led four players in double figures for Grass Lake (9-0, 7-0), who are ranked No. 8 in Class C.

Twice in the final minutes, the Dutch had the ball down two, but once they didn’t finish near the basket and the second time they missed the front end of a one-and-one as part of their 13-for-23 shooting from the free-throw line for the game.

Manchester coach Cori Kastel said the team’s untested start may be part of the reason her team has lost two close games.

"I guess in those pressure situations there's a little bit of panic," Kastel said.

Kastel, who said her team on the floor at the end consisted of three juniors and two freshmen, also lamented her team’s free-throw shooting. The Dutch are a combined 50 percent (28-for-56) from the line in their two losses.

"That's not going to win those close ballgames," Kastel said.

CHELSEA 49, ADRIAN 27

Mackenzie Cole scored 18 points and Riley Singleton added 14 and eight rebounds as the Chelsea Bulldogs improved to 8-0 on the year, knocking off the Adrian Maples Tuesday night.

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“It's always a tough place to play in Adrian, and I was happy to get out of there with a 'W',” said Chelsea coach Todd Blomquist. "We had a good start, came out and executed pretty well."

The Bulldogs led 25-10 at the half and kept the pressure up defensively going into the second half, leading 40-18 after three quarters.

"I thought we played pretty well,” Blomquist said. “I thought our defense, we pressured them. A solid effort."

Kristin Montecious scored six for Adrian.

TEMPERANCE BEDFORD 54, SALINE 33

Saline (2-5, 1-1 SEC Red) trailed 31-7 at halftime in the loss.

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"We had a terrible start to the game and Bedford played great," Saline coach Jeff Waltz said. "They took us out of our game and took the wind out of our sails."

Kelsey Pelletier led the Hornets with 12 points. Megan Hayes scored 15 for Bedford.

"You can't get too down on yourself," Waltz said. "It's one of those games where we need to go back to the drawing board and preach fundamentals."

YPSILANTI 49, TECUMSEH 28

Cara Easley had 13 points and 10 rebounds and Jasmine Jones had 13 points and five steals as Ypsilanti recorded its first win of the season.

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"You always got to be happy with your first win," Phoenix coach Chris Slater said.

Slater said that while his team led at halftime 19-13, he wasn’t happy about its 15 turnovers.

"Second half we protected the ball better," Slater said. "When we protect the ball, I think we're a pretty good team."

Kayla Kormos and Mattie Wright each scored seven for Tecumseh.

YPSILANTI ARBOR PREP 57, SOUTHFIELD BRADFORD 25

Arbor Prep players gave coach Rod Wells a good birthday gift, as they had 25 steals to stay unbeaten.

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"I was really worried about this game since we haven't played since ... before Christmas," Wells said. "They thought they were still on Christmas break for a little while, I think."

Wells described his team as “sleepwalking” through the first quarter, after which it led 8-3. He said the team used its defense to take control. Brianna Smiley had 21 points and 10 rebounds off the bench for Arbor Prep (7-0).

"A real good effort out of her,” Wells said. “I don't think she missed one shot all night."

Zakiya Wells had 16 points, six assists and seven steals for Arbor Prep.

ADRIAN MADISON 52, WHITMORE LAKE 8

Whitmore Lake’s 37 turnovers hampered its offense.

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"Turnovers just killed us," Whitmore Lake coach Jen Taylor said. "Little by little you could see it defeat the girls, and they got sloppier and sloppier."

Whitmore Lake (2-6, 1-4 Tri-County) trailed league-leading Madison just 4-2 after an “awesome first quarter defensively,” according to Taylor, and 18-4 at half.

Abby Salata had two points and 10 rebounds for Whitmore Lake. Kelsey Hudson led Madison with 14 points.

"Madison's a great team,” Taylor said. “I've got to give it to them."

WILLOW RUN 43, DEARBORN HEIGHTS ROBICHAUD 21

Willow Run (4-3) climbed back over the .500 mark with a convincing win over Dearborn Heights Robichaud Tuesday night.

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Delana Cook scored 16 points to lead the way for Willow Run who has won four straight games. Keya Lawson and Juleah Bailey-Horton each had eight for the Flyers.

HOWELL AACH 62, WASHTENAW CHRISTIAN 31

A 23-point second quarter from Howell Christian spelled doom for Washtenaw Christian as the Wildcats lost big 62-31.

The Wildcats won the last time these two teams met in December 40-31, but were unable to pull out the victory Tuesday.

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Trailing by five entering the second quarter, Washtenaw could not stop Howell from scoring and found themselves down 35-16 at the break.

“They put on a clinic. I think they played about as good of a game as they could have played,” said Washtenaw head coach Bob Trevino. “They did a nice job. It's just one of those things where you have to tip your cap.”

Michaela Donat and Rachel Ballantyne each ahd eight points to led the Wildcats (3-2) while Marie McGill scored a game-high 17 for Howell (1-1).

MONDAY RESULTS
Flat Rock 54, Milan 18: Corinna Schneider's five points was enough to lead her team on a night when offense was at a premium for the Big Reds. (Boxscore)

Coaches may submit scores by calling 734-623-2565 or by emailing prepsports@annarbor.com.