MEADVILLE — In recent playoff games against Hickory and Harbor Creek, the Slippery Rock girls basketball team gained the upper hand early and rode the momentum to victory.

In Saturday's District 10 Class 5A championship game against Warren, the Rockets found themselves on the wrong end of that equation.

The Dragons built a double-digit lead in the second quarter and their edge was never threatened as they captured their second straight crown with a 46-34 win at Meadville High School.

Warren also defeated Slippery Rock for the title last year and in 2019.

A basket from Audrey Kura with 4:21 left in the third period, followed by her free throw three possessions later, cut Warren's lead to 31-23. The Rockets would get no closer, however.

Warren shot 50 percent (17-of-34) from the field.

"It felt like 60," lamented Slippery Rock coach Amber Osborn. "We played hard and didn't quit, but it's tough when you get in a hole against them and they start holding the ball."

The Dragons attempted just three field goals in the fourth period, making all of them.

Warren coach Lisa LaVan said that it's a blueprint her team has followed for much of the season.

"We like to play at a fast tempo, get up on teams, and then become very methodical," she said.

Point guard Riley Childress led all scorers with 15 points, but was also the key to the Dragons (19-6) being able to successfully manage both strategies.

"She's a senior, a four-year starter and she knows what I expect from her," LaVan said. "She's a great point guard."

Slippery Rock (14-9) trailed just 13-9 after one quarter, but the Dragons slowly added to their advantage. They made four of their first five shot attempts in the second period and took advantage of Slippery Rock's seven turnovers in the quarter to lead 27-15 at the break.

Bronwyn McCoy led the Rockets with 11 points. Emma Ruhlman and Alana Stuart both scored 10 for Warren, the latter coming off the bench to make all five of her attempts from the field.

Slippery Rock, the Region 5 champion, was playing in its sixth consecutive District 10 final after graduating several key players from last year's team, including star point guard Anna Kadlubek.

"I hate to lose and this one stings, but we need to put things in perspective," Osborn said. "We weren't even picked to win our region this year, but the girls found a way to grind it out."

As the runner-up from District 10, the Rockets will face Moon, the fourth-place team from District 7, in the first round of the state playoffs Wednesday at a site and time to be determined.

SLIPPERY ROCK 34

Julia Coffaro 1 0-0 3, Ella McDermott 4 1-2 9, Bronwyn McCoy 5 1-2 11, Audrey Kura 1 1-3 3, Gianna Bedel 1 0-0 3, Katie Book 2 0-0 5, CJ Sabo 0 0-0 0. Totals: 14 3-7 34.

WARREN 46

Samantha Ruhlman 2 0-0 5, Halle Kuzminski 1 0-2 2, Riley Childress 5 3-5 15, Alana Stuart 5 0-0 10, Emma Ruhlman 3 4-4 10, Gracie Ruhlman 1 1-3 4. Totals: 17 8-14 46.

Slippery Rock 9 6 8 11 - 34

Warren 13 14 8 11 - 46

3-point goals: Slippery Rock 3 (Coffaro, Bedel, Book); Warren 4 (Childress 2, S.Ruhlman, G.Ruhlman).

Wednesday: Slippery Rock vs. Moon, PIAA Class 5A first-round, TBD