SLIPPERY ROCK — Blackhawk's window of opportunity lasted one quarter.

And, just like that, it was gone.

The Cougars held the Slippery Rock High girls basketball team to just 4-of-18 shooting for 18 percent in the second quarter, but the Rockets' defense didn't allow Blackhawk to pull away.

Slippery Rock then used 26 second-half points from Jence Rhoads to break a 24-all halftime tie as the Rockets claimed a 62-56 victory Wednesday night at Slippery Rock University's Morrow Field House.

Rhoads had just six points at halftime, but tallied 12 in the third quarter and 14 in the final period to finish with a game-high 32.

"Offensively, I'd say this was our best game of the season," said Cougars coach Steve Lodorico. "But defensively, we simply had no answer for (Rhoads). She's a level above what we've seen this year."

Rhoads, Jenna Rinker and Casey McCaffrey each scored two baskets in the first four minutes of the second half to put Slippery Rock up 36-29.

From that point on, Blackhawk was on the short end in a game of cat and mouse.

The Cougars (9-11) trailed by scores of 46-41, 50-47 and 52-49 in the final period.

Rhoads and McCaffrey combined to hit 6 of 7 free throws in the closing minutes to ice the game for the Rockets (16-4).

"We had the seven-point lead in the third quarter, but gave up some easy baskets," said Slippery Rock coach Gene Rodgers. "(Blackhawk) kept battling back."

With its offense struggling to score points in the second quarter, Slippery Rock's defense rose to the occasion, forcing six turnovers. The Rockets were outscored 12-9 in the period, but it easily could have been more than that. The Cougars shot 5-of-9 for 56 percent from the field in the quarter.

"Abby (Basta) and Casey (McCaffrey) usually create the pressure on defense and Jence intercepts the passes," said Rodgers. "That's usually the way it works."

"We've had problems with turnovers the whole year," said Lodorico. "It's gotten better since the beginning of the season, but we still have trouble bringing the ball up the floor because we've got some young players out there."

McCaffrey had a strong game in support of Rhoads with 15 points.

"A lot of people think it's just Jence for us out there," said Rodgers. "And she does do so many things well. But we've been getting so many contributions from other girls, too."

Senior forward Chelsea Feltrop led Blackhawk with 18 points and sophomore Krista Franitti added 16.

BLACKHAWK 56

Maura Boggs 2 2-2 4, Beth Deluca 4 0-0 8, Chelsea Feltrop 7 4-4 18, Liz DePietro 2 0-0 4, Krista Franitti 7 1-2 16, Noelle Miloszewski 1 2-3 4, Britnee Shaffer 0 0-0 0, Courtney Klein 0 0-0 0. Totals: 23 9-11 56.

SLIPPERY ROCK 62

Abby Basta 3 1-2 7, Jence Rhoads 14 4-5 32, Casey McCaffrey 6 2-2 15, Jenna Rinker 3 0-0 6, Jessica Fry 1 0-0 2, Shanea Raabe 0 0-0 0. Totals: 27 7-9 62.

3-point goals:

Franitti; McCaffrey.

JV:

Blackhawk 65-21

Monday:

Slippery Rock @ Karns City