BUTLER TWP — Things were not going well for the Butler girls basketball team in the first quarter.

In fact, it looked a lot like what happened to the Golden Tornado in their last game, a lopsided road loss Friday.

“We talked about character and having some pride in your game,” said Butler coach Dorothea Epps. “We wanted to see what they were made of.”

After falling behind against North Hills 11-5 early in the second quarter, Butler went on a 16-2 run to close out the half and cruised to a 45-34 home win over the Indians Monday night.

It was gut-check time for the Tornado; They passed.

“They proved they are a great character team,” Epps said.

The win was sweeter because it came on senior night as Butler honored its lone senior, Lauren Bresnahan.

“It was nice because we sent Bresnahan out on a W,” Epps said. “They were out there fighting for her, too. That's what's special about these girls. They really care about each other. It was important for them to send Bres out like that.”

Alyssa DiPippa keyed the second-quarter turnaround with seven of her team-high 16 points.

“She's just steady,” Epps said. “She has been all year. She's getting better and better.”

Kalynn Callihan, who has played all season with a cast on her left thumb, added 12 points for Butler (9-8, 4-7).

Callihan was more aggressive going to the hoop, which pleased Epps.

“It affects her handle, her passing,” Epps said of Callihan's injury, torn tendons in her thumb suffered in open gym before the season started. “But she's a kid who is never going to make that excuse. As of yet, she has never used her hand as a reason why something has happened. That's the thing about her.

“We challenged them all about going to the basket, about making creative things happen out there,” Epps added. “And tonight she did that. She drove some. She didn't just rely on that 3 today and I think she felt good about it.”

North Hills (8-13, 2-9) came into this game in very much the same situation as Butler — playing for pride instead of the playoffs.

“The goal was to be competitive this year,” said North Hills coach Lauren Wilmus. “They've given me effort every single game. We just can't put the ball in the hoop.”

Jamie Halloran did, however. The sophomore guard scored all nine of the Indians' points in the first quarter and 11 of her team's 13 in the first half. She finished with 22 points.

“She's been tremendous for us all season,” Wilmus said. “She's been our go-to and she's stepped up in a lot of games this year. I can't ask for anything better than that. Coming into the year, she had the world on her shoulders and she's doing things we needed her to do.”

Butler had the more balanced approach, which was a good sign for Epps.

The Tornado have struggled to find scoring beyond DiPippa and Julia Baxter this season, but got big baskets from Dani Hensel and Callihan against North Hills.

“Bres does a lot of things for this team that don't show up in the box score,” Epps said. “She's always where she's supposed to be.”

Epps sees the final week of the season as important to build for next season.

There's a lot to build around with Baxter, who scored eight points to go with eight rebounds, DiPippa, Hensel and Callihan returning.

“We wanted to end on a good note to carry into the offseason,” Epps said. We just want them to play as hard as they can play and as well as they can play.”

NORTH HILLS 34

Megan Taschner 0-0 0-0 0, Sarah Treser 1-7 2-2 4, Jamie Halloran 9-27 2-2 22, Clara Barry 0-0 0-0 0, Breanna Bertram 0-0 0-0 0, Scout Cheeks 2-3 0-0 4, Jess Bowen 0-2 0-0 0, Sierra Ungerman 1-3 2-6 4, Brandi Williams 0-3 0-0 0. Totals: 13-45 6-10 34.

BUTLER 45

Alyssa DiPippa 4-10 8-11 16, Kalynn Callihan 5-12 0-0 12, Lauren Callihan 1-1 2-2 4, Julia Baxter 4-11 0-0 8, Dani Hensel 2-6 1-2 5, Ronni Guiney 0-0 0-0 0, Tiana Schaffner 0-3 0-0 0, Paige Lambermont 0-0 0-0 0, Kelsee Callihan 0-0 0-0 0. Totals: 16-43 11-15 45.

North Hills 9 4 11 10 — 34

Butler5 16 12 12 — 45

3-point goals: North Hills 2 (Halloran 2); Butler 2 (Ka. Callihan 2)

JV: North Hills 42-27

Thursday: Butler at Seneca Valley