SLIPPERY ROCK — So much for taking an opponent lightly.

Coming off an emotional one-point win over rival Grove City less than 48 hours earlier, the Slippery Rock girls basketball team proved more than ready for Greenville Saturday afternoon.

“I wouldn't have it any other way,” Rockets coach John Tabisz said. “Respect everybody.”

Slippery Rock (9-2) used a 16-2 run in the final three and a half minutes of the first quarter to open up a 25-7 lead by period's end. The Rockets then cruised to a 55-31 victory, their sixth consecutive win.

“We were sharp in that first period. I liked the way we played,” Tabisz said. “I told the starters that if we built a big lead, they were coming out.

“Other girls on the team don't get a chance to play much. This was their opportunity.”

Despite SR reserves playing virtually the entire second quarter, Greenville (5-6) managed only two points. The Trojans trailed 31-9 at halftime and never got closer than 18 the rest of the way. The Rockets' lead peaked at 29 (48-19) with 7:49 left in the game.

“That's a very good team,” Greenville coach Jen Fagley said. “We don't have any excuses. Our girls couldn't get into any offensive sets in the first half and that was frustrating.

“We calmed down and did a better job in the second half. But Slippery Rock knows what it's doing out there. They executed very well on both ends.”

Sophomore forward Marissa Siebka keyed the Rockets' first-quarter surge by scoring 11 points, getting four steals and two assists in the first eight minutes. She finished with 16 points, six steals, five rebounds and four assists while barely playing two quarters.

“She's a nightmare when she plays both ends of the floor like she did today,” Tabisz said of Siebka.

Nicole Papley had 14 points for Slippery Rock while Bailey Boyd grabbed five rebounds coming off the bench. The Rockets had a 26-13 edge on the boards and Greenville managed only two rebounds in the first half.

While the Rocket starters turned the ball over only six times all day, they had no problem taking a seat while their teammates played.

“We're all in this together,” Siebka said. “They're like our little siblings out there. It's fun sitting there, cheering them on.”

The defensive effort of the backups was of no surprise to Siebka — or to Tabisz.

“We take defense pretty seriously here,” Siebka said.

“They knew that if they didn't play hard on defense, they'd be yanked out,” Tabisz said, smiling.

Jillian Herrick paced Greenville with 10 points. Cameron Leary had five rebounds and four assists, Rebecca Fagley and Molly Montalvo three steals each.

“We'll learn from this and move on,” Coach Fagley said. “The early (12:30 p.m.) starting time can't be an excuse. You always have to be ready to play.”

Tabisz liked the early start time.

“We may have to play a playoff game on an early Saturday afternoon,” he said. “You have to be prepared to adjust to anything.”

GREENVILLE 31

Rebecca Fagley 2-3 0-5 4, Molly Montalvo 2-6 2-3 6, Jillian Herrick 4-8 2-2 10, Cameron Leary 2-7 1-1 5, Michaela Marini 0-2 0-0 0, Kayla Beilstein 0-2 0-0 0, Casslyn Holder 1-5 4-7 6. Totals: 11-33 9-18 31.

SLIPPERY ROCK 55

Lauren Dietz 1-2 0-0 2, Riley McGonigle 0-0 0-0 0, Sedona Campbell 3-4 1-2 7, Nicole Papley 6-9 1-2 14, Marissa Siebka 6-8 2-3 16, Jenna Whitmer 3-5 1-2 7, Bailey Boyd 1-1 0-0 2, Alicia Bertozzi 0-1 0-0 0, Becca Novak 1-2 0-0 2, Jocelyn Guy 1-2 0-0 2, Stephanie Croll 0-0 3-4 3. Totals: 22-34 8-13 55.

Greenville 7 2 10 12 — 31

Slippery Rock25 6 15 9 — 55

3-point goals: None; Papley, Siebka 2

JV: Slippery Rock, 42-24 (G: Erynn Williams 8, SR: Bailey Boyd 10)

Today: Slippery Rock at Titusville