SLIPPERY ROCK — For most of the season, the Slippery Rock offense has evoked awe.

But against Hickory, it was the defense that stole the show — and the basketball.

The Slippery Rock High girls basketball team forced errant passes or simply stepped in front of them. The Rockets swatted away shots or simply made Hickory take poor ones on the way to a 56-29 home region victory Monday night.

"We can't expect to shoot 50 percent every night," said Slippery Rock coach Adrienne Orris. "Our defense is going to have to carry us this season."

It certainly carried Slippery Rock (13-1, 7-0) against the Hornets.

The Rockets are averaging more than 70 points per game, but the stingy Hornets held Slippery Rock to its smallest point total since its lone loss against Hopewell.

It didn't matter. The Rockets' defense made life miserable for Hickory.

The Hornets shot 17 percent and were 1-of-22 from the field in the second half.

"In high school, you don't generally come across three players who are 5-foot-10 and have long arms like they do," said Hickory coach Jeannette Whitehead. "They are disciplined in how they play it and aggressive."

Hickory (5-9, 2-5) had its own defensive plan.

The Hornets were determined to make the Rockets earn every point by limiting their fast-break opportunities.

The plan worked for the most part. Slippery Rock went on only one extended run: a 13-0 spurt at the end of the first quarter.

But it was enough.

"It may have been different if we could have made some shots," Whitehead said.

Slippery Rock guard Ali Doyle hit a big 3-pointer at the first-half buzzer that gave the Rockets an 18-point lead at the break.

"Everybody has a role on my team, but they aren't afraid to go out of their role," Orris said. "(Ali) stepped up and knew where the clock was."

Nine Slippery Rock players scored. Adele Campbell led the way with 11 points and Karly Rhoads added 10.

The starting five played fewer minutes than usual. Orris swapped out Doyle, Karly Rhoads, Kourtney Rhoads, Campbell and Cessar with five bench players in waves like a hockey line change.

The defense never missed a beat with the five reserves on the floor.

Hickory scored 10 points in the second half.

"We're balanced," Orris said. "It doesn't matter who is off, I know someone else will step up."

HICKORY 29Kalie Gargano 1-4 0-0 2, Liz Palumbo 1-8 0-0 2, Katie Skero 2-3 1-1 5, Nicole Neider 1-4 4-6 6, Macy Horvath 2-12 2-2 6, Alexis McBride 0-3 0-0 0, Jasmine Boulware 0-1 2-2 2, Ashley Marriott 1-7 0-0 3, Emily Szabo 0-0 1-6 1, Jen Neider 0-8 0-0 0, Allison Zreliack 1-3 0-0 2. Totals: 9-53 10-17 29.

SLIPPERY ROCK 56Karly Rhoads 4-11 2-2 10, Ali Doyle 2-2 0-0 5, Kourtney Rhoads 2-8 0-0 4, Adele Campbell 5-8 0-0 11, Sarah Cessar 4-8 0-0 9, Taylor Crocker 2-6 0-2 6, Bre Northcott 3-3 1-1 7, Molly Weitzel 1-3 0-0 2, Morgan Siebka 1-4 0-2 2, Jackie Basta 0-1 0-0 0, Ellie Shaw 0-1 0-0 0.

Totals: 24-53 3-7 56.

Hickory 6 13 3 7—29Slippery Rock 17 20 11 8—563-point goals: Hickory 1 (Marriott); Slippery Rock 5 (Doyle, Campbell, Cessar, Crocker 2).

Friday: Meadville at Slippery Rock