SLIPPERY ROCK — After 55 years of being called home, the Slippery Rock girls basketball team saw to it the Rock Box was retired in style.

The Rockets closed out the first half on a 10-2 run to break a 13-all tie to help send the squad to a 49-33 win over Oil City Thursday.

With the victory, Slippery Rock (19-5, 10-2) tied Meadville (19-5, 10-2) in the Region 5 race to earn a share of the championship. If Franklin (17-6, 9-2) defeats Titusville tonight, it also will have a share of the title.

It looked as though the Rockets would have their hands full early, as the Oilers (14-10, 5-6) stayed close, getting consecutive baskets by Caitlin DeWoody and Allison Schell to forge a 13-all contest with 3:52 left before halftime.

But when Casey McCaffrey answered with a basket of her own, she started a run that helped give Slippery Rock the separation it needed.

The aforementioned run allowed the Rockets to take a 23-15 lead into the break. Jence Rhoads scored the Rockets' final five points of the half.

"Once we got a little cushion, the girls got a little more relaxed," said Slippery Rock coach Gene Rodgers. "Once you get into the playoffs, you're not going to find teams that will allow you to do that.

"We feel good when we're out in front with a lead. We've been fortunate to have the lead in most games," Rodgers added.

"We had that tough spot when Jence went on that run," said Oilers coach Mark Cochran. "I thought we could run with them early, and we did a good job. What really helped them was Abby Basta. She opened things up for Jence."

After Oil City opened the third quarter with a basket by Schell, the Rockets countered with a free throw by Jenna Rinker and baskets by Jessica Fry, Abby Basta and Rinker to take a 30-17 lead.

"Abby and Casey started going to the basket hard," said Rodgers.

Oil City made one final push, using just 78 seconds to pull back to within seven points.

Amanda Jones hit a 3-pointer and a three-point play on consecutive possessions — sandwiched around a basket by Rhoads — and a bucket by Shelby Winger made it 32-25 with 1:56 left in the third quarter.

However, the Rockets received a basket and 3-pointer from Rhoads to surge to a 37-25 lead with 6:22 remaining. The Oilers never got closer than nine points the rest of the way.

Rhoads led all scorers with 21 points while Basta added 10 points. Jones led the Oilers with nine points.

"We need to get six, seven, eight points from everyone," said Rodgers. "We figure Jence will get her 20 and everyone else needs to score. Our defense is getting teams into the 40s, so we need to get to at least 50."

OIL CITY 33

Katie Stubler 1 0-0 2, Maria Stallone 2 0-0 4, Allison Schell 2 0-04, Amanda Jones 3 2-3 9, Caitlin DeWoody 3 0-0 7, Morgan Bruce 0 0-0 0, Shelby Winger 1 2-2 4, Mary Winger 0 1-2 1, Liz Serbati 0 0-0 0, Jenny Burchfield 1 0-0 2. Totals: 13 5-7 33.

SLIPPERY ROCK 49

Abby Basta 3 4-7 10, Shanea Raabe 0 0-0 0, Jence Rhoads 8 4-6 21, Casey McCaffrey 2 2-4 6, Jessica Fry 3 1-3 7, Danielle Drake 0 0-0 0, Jenna Rinker 2 1-2 5, Casey Hogue 0 0-0 0, Sam Amyx 0 0-0 0. Totals: 18 12-22 49.

3-point goals:

Jones, DeWoody; Rhoads

JV:

Oil City, 39-19

Next:

District 10 Playoffs, TBD