SLIPPERY ROCK — Morgan Siebka clasped her hands on top of her head and gazed through damp eyes toward the Slippery Rock High bench.

Siebka, who netted 18 points in less than three quarters, had picked up her fifth foul early in the fourth quarter.

Her night was done.

But even in a 55-42 loss to undefeated Hickory, the Rockets girls basketball team showed it was still a factor in the region.

“I'm not disappointed in my girls because they gave effort,” said Slippery Rock coach Adrienne Orris. “We might be a little bit inexperienced and we might have the disadvantage in size, but I think we outhustled them and played with heart tonight.”

Slippery Rock (4-3, 0-2) came into Monday playing five new starters after winning the region last year with a 13-1 record and advancing to the second round of the PIAA playoffs.

Hickory (5-0, 2-0) came into the game with an average margin of victory of 27 points.

The Rockets stayed with the Hornets for much of the game, thanks to Siebka and a swarming defense.

No one swarmed more than senior guard Molly Weitzel, who scored 10 points and had just as many diving collision.

Weitzel, who stands only 5-foot-4 and has a skinny frame, wasn't shy about sticking her nose into the fray.

“Molly doesn't know she is outsized by anyone,” Orris said. “Early in the season, we thought she broke her leg and she swore she didn't. We had it checked out and the first thing she said was, ‘Coach, I told you I am indestructible.' She will outhustle anyone on the court.”

While Weitzel and her teammates were frustrating Hickory at times, Siebka was slashing through the Hornets' defense. The sophomore scored 11 points in the first half as the Rockets trailed by five early in the third quarter.

When she didn't score on her drives to the hoop, she went to the line and converted 8-of-9 free throws.

“In the open court, Morgan definitely is unstoppable,” Orris said. “I can't even think of any mistakes she made tonight. She fouled out, but she fouled out because she hustled. I'll take a player who hustles and fouls out any day.”

The Rockets trailed by six points when Siebka picked up her fourth foul and a trip to the bench midway through the third quarter.

When she returned at the start of the fourth quarter, Slippery Rock trailed by 12.

She wasn't on the court long. Siebka picked up her fifth foul with 6:33 remaining.

Hickory's lead swelled to as many as 16 less than two minutes later.

Despite an 0-2 start in the region, Orris isntot discouraged by what she has seen in the first seven games.

“We're still trying to gell as a team,” Orris said. “Hopefully, the second time we play these teams, it will be a different ballgame.”

HICKORY 55Liz Palumbo 1-3 1-2 3, Macy Horvath 8-13 0-1 16, Laura Leicht 4-13 3-3 13, Jasmine Boulware 0-7 3-4 3, Holly Grober 6-11 8-13 20, Kia Foster 0-0 0-0 0, Emily Szabo 0-0 0-0 0, Alexis McBride 0-2 0-0 0.

Totals: 19-49 15-23 42.

SLIPPERY ROCK 42Morgan Siebka 5-10 8-9 18, Molly Weitzel 4-11 1-2 10, Jackie Basta 2-11 0-0 6, Haley Angerett 3-13 0-0 6, Ellie Shaw 1-1 0-0 2, Anna Cessar 0-1 0-0 0, Riley McGonigle 0-0 0-0 0, Carly Shearer 0-0 0-0 0.

Totals: 15-47 9-11 55.

Hickory 12 14 13 16—55Slippery Rock 8 11 8 15—423-point goals: Hickory 2 (Leicht); Slippery Rock 3 (Basta 2, Weitzel).

JV Score: Slippery Rock 32-21

Thursday: Oil City at Slippery Rock