SLIPPERY ROCK - Slippery Rock High coach Gene Rodgers stood from the bench and pumped his fist wildly.

Abby Basta had just swooped in, knocked the ball free and scored on an easy layup to give the Rockets girls basketball team another two points on the way to a much needed 50-33 win over Oil City at the Rock Box Thursday night.

The victory was nice for its relative ease and its affirmation that, yes, the Rockets are OK after suffering two consecutive losses.

"We had a little discussion about the effort on defense," said Rodgers, who watched his defense allow Seneca Valley and Franklin to rally in the second half for wins. "We talked about limiting their shots. Our help and recover defense was very effective."

Oil City (7-6 overall, 0-3 in the region) took just 39 shots, with many coming in a flurry late in the contest.

Oil City made just 15 of them and committed 20 turnovers.

"We came unglued," said Oil City coach Mark Cochran.

During the first seven minutes of the game, however, Oil City was on the verge of forcing Slippery Rock (11-2, 3-1) to come unglued.

The Oilers led 10-7 with a minute left in the first period, but Slippery Rock outscored them 25-2 over the next nine minutes to take a commanding lead.

Rodgers said he was pleased to see the offensive explosiveness return in a big way.

Jence Rhoads finished with nine field goals and a game-high 19 points. Basta, Robin Craig, Emily Skoczlas and Casey McCaffrey each hit three field goals to provide the Rockets balance that is sorely needed.

Rhoads was particularly effective scoring off screens as Cochran pleaded with his team to keep a more watchful eye on Slippery Rock's star - to no avail.

"(Rhoads) is very unselfish and a terrific passer," Cochran said. "These girls see it and take it to heart."

Oil City was playing without guard Maria Stallone, who broke her foot during the Oilers' holiday tournament late last month.

Her injury has had a ripple affect on a team that was poised to contend for a title in the revamped District 10.

"One player doesn't make or break you, but she was another ball handler," Cochran said. "That really hurt us."

It didn't hurt that Slippery Rock shot 50 percent from the floor Thursday, as poor shooting down the stretch doomed the Rockets against Franklin.

"It's about having the guts to take those shots and make them," Rodgers said. "These girls did a good job looking within themselves and having the heart to come back and play the way they did."

OIL CITY 33

Morgan Bruce 0-1 0-0 0, Shelby Winger 0-1 0-0 0, Mary Winger 0-1 0-0 0, Katie Stubler 2-3 0-2 4, Keri Wilkinson 1-7 0-0 2, Liz Serbati 1-2 0-0 2, Leanne Lardin 1-2 0-1 2, Ally Schell 0-1 0-0 0, Amanda Jones 1-6 1-2 3, Keveany Martin 5-9 0-0 10, Kaitlyn DeWoody 4-6 0-0 10, Jenna Burchfield 0-0 0-0 0. Totals: 15-39 1-5 33

SLIPPERY ROCK 50

Jence Rhoads 9-15 1-3 19, Robin Craig 3-9 0-0 7, Emily Skoczlas 3-7 2-6 8, Casey McCaffrey 3-6 0-2 6, Abby Basta 3-6 0-0 6, Jessica Fry 2-2 0-0 4, Danielle Drake 0-0 0-0 0, Ashley Brown 0-1 0-0 0, Emma Walter 0-0 0-0 0, Brittany Lyons 0-0 0-0 0, Cassie Hogue 0-0 0-0 0. Totals: 23-46 3-11 50

3-point goals:

DeWoody 2, Craig

Monday:

Slippery Rock @ Erie Central