ROSS TWP — It’s been a long time since the Butler girls basketball team has lost a section game.

It’s been even longer since North Hills has been able to topple the Tornado.

But both happened at North Hills Thursday night as the Indians dominated on the way to a 61-24 victory.

Butler had its 24-game section winning streak snapped. It also was the Tornado’s first loss to North Hills since a 56-53 setback Jan. 31, 2005.

“We have beat up on teams for so long that, when they think we are down, they can’t wait for us to come into their gym,” said Butler coach Dorothea Epps. “My challenge is to each and every one of (the Tornado players), ‘Are you going to lay down and let that happen? Are you going to have pride? Then don’t let that happen.’”

But it did happen against the Indians and they wasted little time in doing it.

North Hills (3-1, 1-0) led 12-4 after the first quarter, held a 25-8 advantage at halftime, pushed that lead to 20 points less than a minute into the second half and to 30 midway through the third quarter.

The Indians’ biggest lead was 38 midway through the fourth quarter.

“We wanted to come in here and get that first section win and put (Butler) behind us for the first time in a long time,” said North Hills coach Tom Sandherr. “It’s definitely a good win for us.”

Emma Wingerd scored 19 points for the Indians, including three 3-pointers.

There weren’t many positives for the Tornado.

Caitlin Baxter and Shelby Johnston each scored eight points, but Butler (1-2, 0-1) was plagued by turnovers, many unforced.

The Tornado also shot 10-of-42 from the field.

“We were definitely out of sync,” Epps said. “We just don’t have enough scorers — that’s the bottom line. We don’t have enough girls looking to score even if they can score. That made (North Hills’ defense) even better.”

If there is any consolation for Butler it is the fact the season is a long one.

There are many more opportunities to forget all about this loss, Epps said.

“It’s only one section game — it was a rough section game on the road — but it was only one game. We’ve got to get better.”

BUTLER 24Morgan McLaughlin 0-0 0-0 0, MacKenzie O’Donnell 0-1 0-3 0, Samantha Marak 0-5 0-0 0, Jasmine Bailey 0-6 2-4 2, Emily Eyth 2-7 0-0 4, Alexandra Houk 1-3 0-0 2, Caitlin Baxter 4-13 0-0 8, Shelby Johnston 3-7 2-4 8.

Totals: 10-42 4-11 24.

NORTH HILLS 61Jess Rectenwald 3-6 0-0 7, Ali Patton 2-6 5-8 11, Emily Jamison 2-4 2-2 6, Megan Hans 1-9 1-3 4, Emma Wingerd 8-11 0-0 19, Jordan Garth 0-0 0-2 0, Lea Sullivan 1-3 0-0 3, Kaylee Zozos 4-6 0-0 8, Autumn Puhac 0-3 0-0 0, Lexie Marx 0-0 0-0 0, Carly Herr 1-1 0-0 3.

Totals: 22-48 8-15 61.

Butler 4 4 10 6—24North Hills 12 13 19 17—613-point goals: Butler 0; North Hills 9 (Rectenwald, Patton 2, Hans, Wingerd 3, Sullivan, Herr).

Tuesday: Shaler at Butler