SLIPPERY ROCK — Welcome back, Jenna Whitmer.

Slippery Rock's senior point guard — playing only her third game this season after coming back from injury — scored 12 of her 16 points in the second half Saturday night against Moniteau.

Several of those points were key plays in the Rockets' 61-51 girls basketball victory.

“Jenna is a difference-maker for us, no doubt about that,” Slippery Rock coach Amber Osborn said. “We missed not having her out there.”

The Rockets (9-1) have won nine straight games while Moniteau (10-2) saw its nine-game streak come to an end.

But the Warriors didn't fall easily.

After Emma Bair's baseline jumper tied the game at 11 with 3:17 left in the first quarter, an 18-1 Slippery Rock run gave the Rockets the lead for good. Steph Croll and Elena McDermott sank treys during the surge.

Whitmer stole the ball near midcourt and drove the other way for a layup and a 28-12 Rocket lead early in the second period. A Croll free throw extended the margin to 17.

“We showed a lot of character in coming back from that,” Moniteau coach DeeArblaster said.

The Warriors closed the half with a 16-5 spurt of their own to pull within six. Then Whitmer opened the second half by sinking a trey.

Again, Moniteau fought back. A pair of layups each from Kristina DeMatteis and Alazia Greaves, along with a short jumper by Bair, pulled the Warriors within 41-38 with 3:18 left in the third quarter.

“Those three girls do a lot for us,” Arblaster said. “Emma, in particular, has really stepped up her game of late. We've got a good team.”

But Whitmer thwarted the Warriors from there.

After Sedona Campbell stuck back an offensive rebound for a five-point lead, Whitmer canned a trey for a 52-44 Rocket edge with 4:40 to play. Whitmer's steal and layup gave Slippery Rock a 56-48 lead with 3:03 left.

A Whitmer jumper gave the Rockets a 58-50 lead with 1:21 to go and her two free throws sealed the deal at 60-51 with 37 seconds left.

“Today, it was Jenna making some big plays. We've been winning because our girls have been finding ways to come through when we've needded it,” Osborn said.

Whitmer had three assists and a pair of steals to go with her 16 points. Campbell had 15 points and 12 rebounds, Emma McDermott 10 points and four boards.

Campbell could barely speak after the game.

“She's dealing with a respiratory issue right now. She had trouble breathing out there,” Osborn said. “I considered not even playing her today.

“That was a very gutsy effort on her part.”

Campbell knew the game would be a tough one. She subbed in and out repeatedly.

“This is what we want, though,” she said. “You want to be pushed. You want to be tested. I wanted to play as much as I could to help us win.”

DeMatteis had 17 points and 12 rebounds for Moniteau. Greaves had 13 points, eight rebounds, three assists and three steals while Bair had eight points and 10 boards.

The Warriors enjoyed a 46-30 advantage in rebounding, but were done in by 25 turnovers.

“That was the biggest difference,” Arblaster said of the turnovers. “We have to take better care of the basketball against pressure.

“We gave away too many possessions, but I liked the intensity of this game.”

Osborn agreed.

“Non-league games like this are so much better than going out and beating somebody by 30,” she said. “You learn a lot more about yourself this way.”

MONITEAU 51

Kristin DeMatteis 8-16 1-1 17, Alazia Greaves 4-18 5-6 13, Andie Arblaster 1-2 0-0 2, Cambrie Campbell 1-4 2-2 4, Emma Bair 3-13 2-2 8, Sara Hull 1-4 5-6 7. Totals: 18-57 15-17 51.

SLIPPERY ROCK 61

Jenna Whitmer 6-11 2-3 16, Hannah Willison 0-3 0-0 0, Elena McDermott 1-6 0-0 3, Bailey Boyd 2-4 2-2 6, Jenna Heitzenrater 0-0 1-2 1, Macy McCall 1-1 1-5 3, Emma McDermott 4-7 0-0 10, Steph Croll 2-7 2-3 7, Sedona Campbell 7-15 1-2 15. Totals: 23-54 9-17 61.

Moniteau 12 16 10 13 — 51

Slippery Rock23 11 8 19 — 61

3-point goals: Whitmer 2, El. McDermott, Em. McDermott 2, Croll

Today: General McLane at Slippery Rock

Wednesday: Moniteau at North Clarion