SLIPPERY ROCK — The Slippery Rock boys basketball team opened and closed strong Saturday against George Junior Republic. It was what happened in the middle that the Rockets will look to improve on.

Slippery Rock limited George Junior to 10 points combined in the first and fourth quarters to win their region opener 72-56.

The Rockets (3-1, 1-0) out-scored George Junior 25-6 in the first and led 37-32 at halftime.

Camren Neal and Ryan Dutton tied for a team-high 19 points for the Rockets. Matt Badger (17) and Brady Kadlubeck (12) also scored in double figures for Slippery Rock.

Slippery Rock has won three straight games since a season-opening loss at the Butler Tip-Off Tournament. The Rockets travel to Farrell Tuesday.

GEORGE JUNIOR REPUBLIC 56

Baker 1 2-2 5, Fuller 9 1-2 21, White 1 0-0 2, Gibson 4 0-3 8, Pearson 3 4-6 11, Pearson 3 4-6 11, Kelley 0 0-2, Jeter 0 0-0, Hogg 0-0 0, Menerl 0 0-0, Johnson 4 0-0 8. Totals: 22 7-15 56.

SLIPPERY ROCK 72

Jake Whitmer 1 0-1 3, Brady Kadlubeck 3 6-7 12, Matt Badger 5 4-6 17, Ryan Dutton 8 3-5 19, Aaron Rager 1 0-0 2, Mark Cessar 0 0-0 0, Blake Heller 0 0-0 0, Camren Neal 9 1-3 19, C.J. Welsh 0 0-0. Totals: 27 14-21 72.

George Junior 6 26 20 4—56

Slippery Rock25 12 19 16—72

3-point goals: George Junior 4 (Fuller 2, BakerSlippery Rock 4 (Badger 3, Whitmer)

Tuesday: Slippery Rock at Farrell

Private Schools

First Baptist Christian 53, Wilson 27 (girls basketball) — Nao Hirata scored 10 points, grabbed seven rebounds and had six steals for FBC. Lydia Roth added nine points and five steals.

Hannah Roth contributed nine points and Caitlin Mueller scored eight.

Wilson 52, First Baptist Christian 37 (boys basketball) — Paul Drake had 24 points, 10 rebounds and seven steals in a losing cause while Aaron Drake had 13 points.