BUTLER TWP — Both teams were in a giving mood.

It is the holiday season, after all.

But Butler coach Dorothea Epps was hoping for a more Scrooge-like performance from her girls basketball team Tuesday afternoon at the Butler Christmas Tournament.

Instead, the Golden Tornado slogged their way through a turnover-filled game, beating South Park 55-30.

"The pace of the game was more their style," Epps said. "We turned the ball over way too much against no pressure. If we turn the ball over that much against no pressure, what are we going to do against pressure? I was really surprised."

Butler committed 13 turnovers in the first half, but forced South Park into 20 miscues. The Golden Tornado defense spurred them on in the first half, limiting South Park to a dreadful 1-for-16 shooting and only six points at the break.

"Butler is playing excellent ball," said South Park coach Reggie Wells. "They are well coached and they don't get out of what they are trying to do. They shut us down. Defensively, they did a heck of a job.

The Eagles (1-6) didn't score their first field goal until Brittany Pfaff hit a layup with 4:32 remaining in the second quarter. South Park also struggled at the line, hitting only 13-of-26 free throws.

"You have to make your layups against a great team like Butler," Wells said. "If you don't, you have no chance."

Butler built a 29-6 lead at the half, but struggled in the third quarter as South Park made a mini-run to cut the lead to 38-23 late in the frame.

But the Golden Tornado responded with an 11-2 run to push the lead back to 20 points.

"That team was feisty. They weren't going to back down," Epps said. "We have to play better, flat out. That's all there is to it."

Amy Achesinski scored 25 points, including 9-of-11 from the free throw line.

Julie Ehrman added nine points for the Golden Tornado. She scored seven of those points in the second quarter.

Butler will get a return engagement with Franklin Regional, who beat Blackhawk 53-32 in the first game.

Franklin Regional beat Butler 68-67 in last year's final.

"We get another crack at them," Epps said. "We know we have to play better to beat them."

SOUTH PARK 30

Brook Farrington 1-4 2-4 4, Nicole Kacerik 0-1 0-0 0, Jess Morgan 0-1 1-2 1, Laura Belejchak 1-6 0-2 2, Christy Baldesberger 1-1 0-0 2, Sonja Butchleitner 0-0 1-2 1, Brittany Pfaff 1-6 2-6 4, Nicole Doria 2-4 4-4 8, Krysten Kelly 0-4 0-0 0, Jeanne Hickey 1-8 3-4 5, Kathryn Hritz 1-2 0-2 3. Totals: 8-37 13-26 30

BUTLER 55

Amy Achesinski 8-12 9-11 25, Maria Baraffio 0-1 3-4 3, Rachel Berry 0-1 5-6 5, Kelly Crater 0-2 0-0 0, Lyndsay Day 0-4 0-0 0, Julie Ehrman 2-10 4-4 9, Abby Herrit 2-3 1-3 5, Samantha Karns 0-3 0-2 0, Ashley Nocera 0-4 0-0 0, Karissa King 0-0 2-2 2, Michele Ritchey 0-0 0-0 0, Liz Schultz 1-3 0-2 2, Jen Lesniewski 1-2 0-0 3, Emily Miller 0-0 1-2 1. Totals: 14-45 25-36 55

3-point goals:

Hritz, Ehrman, Lesniewski

Tonight:

Franklin Regional vs. Butler, 6 p.m.