A 15-0 Lady Dragon run in the third quarter turned a close game into a runaway. The final scored read 49-35, but it really wasn’t that close.

And it all started with defense.

“Defensively, we’re tightening things up and honestly I think it’s helping our offense,” said Warren coach Lisa LaVan. “They’re doing some better things and really getting after it.”

Leading 23-18 in the early stages of the second half, Riley Childress converted a strong drive in the lane. That began the surge, which also included a steal by Childress that led directly to a layup.

Warren’s Teagan Paris fights with General McLane’s Louisa Opp for possession as the ball falls to the ground during Wednesday’s Region 6 battle.

Emma Ruhlman, who was held scoreless in the first half, knocked down a pair of shots, as did Teagan Paris. By the time the dust settled, it was 38-18 and the Dragons were well on their way to their sixth-straight win and ninth in their last 10 games.

“We picked up the pressure and were able to get into it that way,” LaVan said. “They’re starting to realize what they need to do to be competitive every single time they step on the floor.”

GM took its first and only lead of the game, 5-2, on an early 3 by Rachel Kaulis.

Riley Childress followed with a three of her own, and the lead swelled to six early on with a Taylor Childress 3.

Gracie Ruhlman hit a 3 at the first quarter buzzer and consecutive buckets by Taylor Childress and Carly Beers gave Warren (14-5 overall, 6-1 Region 6) an 18-11 lead.

Warren's Taylor Childress wins a loose ball and passes to an open teammate during the second half of Wednesday's game against General McLane.

But the Lancers (7-10, 1-6) kept within striking distance thanks to the strong play of Kaulis and Emily Hess, who combined to score 31 of their 35 points.

Riley Childress had eight of her game-high 17 points in the first half, and Ruhlman got red-hot in the second.

“Teams are always trying to find ways to slow those two down. Knock on wood, so far no one’s been able to slow both of them down,” LaVan said. “Emma and Riley both did a good job finding Teagan under the hoop.”

They also drew the defensive assignments of Kaulis and Hess, GM’s two best players, for most of the night.

“They do a good job on defense,” LaVan said. “As sophomores, we ask a lot out of them and we expect a lot out of them. That’s only going to help their game down the road. They don’t play like sophomores.”

The lead swelled to 22 early in the fourth quarter before the Lancers went on a late run.

Gracie Ruhlman pulled down a team-high nine rebounds, while Emma Ruhlman had six rebounds and six assists, Riley Childress five steals and Taylor Childress two steals.

“Taylor is playing like a senior and has developed into being a great leader for us,” LaVan said.

Warren is closing in on the top-seed in Class 5A in Region 6 for the District 10 playoffs. They travel to Villa on Monday.

GM won the JV game, 27-18. Carly Beers had seven points to lead Warren.