BUTLER TWP - How the Butler girls basketball team would respond in Monday's non-section game against Kiski Area was anybody's guess.

After the game, Tornado coach Dorothea Epps certainly liked the answer.

Coming off a loss to host Bethel Park in the championship game of the tip-off tournament Saturday and losing senior guard Kelly Miller in the process, Epps wasn't sure how her players would handle themselves.

An early 7-0 lead evaporated but the Tornado used a 6-0 spurt late in the second quarter to distance itself from the Cavaliers as they went on to a 57-44 victory.

Sophomore Maria Baroffio led the Tornado with 18 points while junior Samantha Karns and sophomore had 14 points each.

"(The Tornado) were a little tight," said Epps. "We had young kids out there and when teams come back at you, you have to sustain the rush.

"We talked to them about keeping their composure. … It was a great challenge for them," she added.

Junior Julie Ehrman, who filled in for Miller, and sophomore Rachel Barry rounded out the starting five.

"With Millie out, there's an opportunity for other players to step up," said Epps.

Achesinski opened the game with a three-point play and scored five of the first seven points as Butler (2-1) enjoyed the early lead.

The Cavaliers (2-1) trailed 11-5 before scoring the next six points to pull even.

Butler lead 17-16 with 5:04 remaining in the half before outscoring Kiski 6-0 over the next 3:10 to take a 23-16 lead.

The teams exchanged baskets before halftime with the Cavaliers using a three-point play by Caitlin Noble with seventh-tenths of a second remaining to pull Kiski to within four at 27-24.

In the second half, Butler received three points apiece from Achesinski and Karns to open up on a 6-2 run to increase its advantage to eight points at 33-25.

Butler's lead never dipped below seven the remainder of the game.

"I think it was pretty even," said Kiski coach Tom Pipkins. "At one point we were down by seven points. When it counted, though, Butler made its free throws."

Both teams attempted 34 free throws. Kiski connected on 21, Butler on 20.

"Butler runs the floor extremely well and they're well-coached," said Pipkins. "We were pleased with our effort. We were going after the ball. We got a few players into foul trouble and that didn't help."

"This was a good confidence booster. I thought our players did a nice job," Epps said.

Notes: The Cavaliers received 16 points from Lindsey Kuruc and 15 from Noble. … Miller is out indefinitely, but Epps said she doesn't think she'll miss too many gamesKISKI AREA 44Lindsey Kuruc 6 3-5 16, April Maritz 0 0-0 0, Blair Saul 2 3-5 7, Caitlin Noble 3 9-14 15, Lauren Golembiewski 0 1-2 1, Carla Fester 0 0-0 0, Shayla Knight 0 0-0 0, Tanisha Wheatley 0 0-0 0, Amber Wolf 0 3-6 3, Sarah Cappo 0 0-0 0, Kelsey Downes 0 0-0 0. Totals: 11 21-34 44.BUTLER 57Samantha Karns 4 6-9 14, Maria Baroffio 7 3-8 18, Amy Achesinski 3 8-9 14, Rachel Barry 2 2-5 6, Kala Schnur 0 0-0 0, Kate DeGeorge 1 0-0 2, Julie Ehrman 1 1-2 3, Elizabeth Schultz 0 0-0 0, Ashley Nocera 0 0-0 0, Michelle Ritchey 0 0-0 0, Abby Herrit 0 0-0 0. Totals: 18 20-34 57.3-point goals: Kuruc; BaroffioJV: Butler, 58-15 (Abby Herrit 13)Wednesday: Hampton at Butler