SLIPPERY ROCK — Playing from behind is never easy.

That task increases tenfold when you're playing against Jence Rhoads.

The Slippery Rock junior scored 33 points as the Rockets jumped out to an early 12-0 lead on Hickory and coasted to a 51-36 girls basketball win Friday night.

It was Slippery Rock's first home game in 29 days. The Rockets last played on their floor Dec. 22 against Grove City.

"We played something like nine straight road games," said Rhoads. "It felt good to finally play at home again."

Rhoads certainly looked comfortable against the Hornets' defense, tallying 12 field goals and making nine of 10 free throw attempts.

"I just felt ready to play," she said. "Everything came easily for me tonight."

Hickory scored as many points in the final three quarters as did Slippery Rock (32), but the first quarter proved to be the difference in the game.

"You get me up by 10 or 12 points early, I'll play even the rest of the way," said Slippery Rock Gene Rodgers.

Abby Basta, Casey McCaffrey, Jessica Fry and Rhoads all hit two-point buckets for the Rockets (12-4 6-1) in the opening minutes of the game.

"Abby came out early and hit a couple big shots for us," said Rodgers. "And she played very well defensively early on, too. That's what we needed because Hickory is a very athletic team."

The Hornets committed eight turnovers in the opening period and didn't receive their first points until Claire Vellente's basket with 3:54 remaining in the quarter made it 12-2.

"I thought we played good defense tonight," said Rhoads. "We needed it because we haven't been playing that well."

Rhoads scored all eight of Slippery Rock's points in the second period and her team led 27-12 at halftime.

Hickory managed a 6-2 run at the start of the second half and trailed 29-18 with five minutes left in the third quarter.

But the Hornets could not stop Rhoads, who scored seven points in the third quarter and nine more in the final eight minutes.

"I could tell that (Hickory's) players were getting tired and worn out," said Rhoads. "They were definitely getting frustrated."

HICKORY 36

Ti Crawford 2 3-4 7, Claire Vellente 2 0-0 4, Kellie Gustas 3 0-0 8, Arin Whitman 1 0-0 2, Kim Stitt 3 3-4 9, Becky Braymer 3 0-0 6. Totals: 14 6-8 36.

SLIPPERY ROCK 51

Abby Basta 2 0-1 4, Shanea Raabe 1 1-3 3, Jence Rhoads 12 9-10 33, Casey McCaffrey 1 0-0 2, Jenna Rinker 1 1-3 3, Jessica Fry 3 0-0 6, Danielle Drake 0 0-0 0. Totals: 20 11-17 51.

3-point goals:

Gustas 2.

JV:

Hickory 55-20

Tuesday:

Slippery Rock @ Franklin