SHARON — The Slippery Rock High girls basketball team spent the week expunging the memory of the disappointing District 10 5A championship game loss to Warren from their minds.

The Rockets' goal Saturday in the first round of the PIAA 5A playoffs against Obama Academy was clear.

Start fast.

Finish strong.

“It was a shame to lose that game, but we can't hang our heads over that one game,” said sophomore guard Maryann Ackerman. “We needed to move on.”

Slippery Rock (20-5) moved on to the things that allowed it to steamroll opponents this season. The Rockets forced 13 first-quarter turnovers in building a 25-6 lead after the opening eight minutes on the way to a 60-42 victory over Obama Academy at Sharon High School.

It was the first PIAA win for Slippery Rock since 2010.

“Last game was really tough,” said sophomore forward Hallie Raabe, who scored 13 of her 15 points in the first quarter against Obama Academy. “We weren't ready. We just didn't have the right mindset. So we wanted to make sure we had the right mindset this game.

“We wanted to win,” Raabe added. “We didn't want our season to end.”

What looked like a romp early turned into a tussle.

Slippery Rock led 28-8 at one point, but watched Obama Academy chip away at that advantage and close to 31-22 at the half.

The Rockets shot just 2-of-13 from the floor in the second quarter and went scoreless over the last 4:45 of the frame.

Even the third quarter was a slog for Slippery Rock, but the Eagles were never able to get the Rockets' lead under eight points.

“We have not been a team that can get in a hole,” said Slippery Rock coach Amber Osborn. “So I said we can't come out and get in a hole. With that, us coming out strong gave us momentum and then, to be honest, our girls got a little too comfortable.”

Slippery Rock, though, was able to pull away in the fourth quarter.

Obama Academy (15-9) had been careful with the basketball in the middle two quarters, but again was bitten by the turnover bug in the fourth.

The Rockets were also 7-of-9 from the free throw line in the final quarter to close it out.

“I didn't have a good feel last time we played,” Osborn said. “I had a better feel today. They were more focused. It's win or go home. Not that they would ever be content with being second place (in the district), but you kind of know in the back of your head you have another game.”

Ackerman again had a big third quarter.

After scoring all 15 of her points last week in the third, she scored nine of her 13 in the third Saturday against Obama Academy.

“It's nothing I try to do,” Ackerman said, smiling. “Usually I'm in foul trouble in the first half, so ...”

She wasn't Saturday — to her and Osborn's great pleasure.

Emma McDermott began to break out of her shooting slump with 10 points and Anna Kadlubek also added 10 points for the Rockets, who will play undefeated WPIAL champion Chartiers Valley (26-0) at 6 p.m. Wednesday at Moon High School.

Slippery Rock played the Colts during a summer league game.

“We got our butts beat by them,” Osborn said.

That was summer. This is now, Osborn said.

“You have to live in the moment,” Osborn said. “It's the elephant in the room. There's no heat on us. We have nothing to lose. Either way, it's a great experience for them. Sometimes there can be a Cinderella story. That's why you play the game.”

OBAMA ACADEMY 42

Talia Mitchell 0-4 1-2 1, Kennedy Jeter 1-3 0-0 2, Machia Hairston 2-5 2-4 7, Javonna Perkins 5-6 0-0 10, Samaree Perkins 1-10 0-0 2, RaLyn Creighton 3-8 2-2 8, Hailee Blackwell 2-3 3-3 7, Sophie Levitt 1-3 2-2 2. Totals: 15-42 10-13 42.

SLIPPERY ROCK 60

Maryann Ackerman 4-13 2-7 13, Emma McDermott 4-15 0-0 10, Hallie Raabe 5-8 3-4 15, Anna Kadlubek 4-7 0-0 10, Bronwyn McCoy 1-3 5-6 7, Ella McDermott 1-5 2-2 5, Michaella Roth 0-2 0-0 0, Ashley Shea 0-0 0-0 0, Kelly Benson 0-0 0-1 0. Totals: 19-53 12-20 60.

Obama Academy 6 16 13 7 — 42

Slippery Rock25 6 14 15 — 60

3-point goals: Obama Academy 2 (Hairston, Levitt); Slippery Rock 10 (Ackerman 3, Emma McDermott 2, Raabe 2, Kadlubek 2, Ella McDermott)

Wednesday: Slippery Rock vs. Chartiers Valley, 6 p.m., Moon