Emma Ruhlman scored six points against constant defensive pressure against Villa on Monday.

ERIE, Pa. – The Warren Lady Dragons have been the only District 10 team that has been able to hang with Villa Maria this season, and Monday’s second meeting between the two was no different.

Despite being held scoreless in the first quarter, the Lady Dragons cut the deficit to four at halftime. And while the final score was a 42-25 setback, there was a lot to be happy about.

“The great thing about it is the girls played hard,” said Warren coach Lisa LaVan. “You can see it where other teams are intimidated by them, but my girls never back down. They didn’t even flinch.”

Villa led 11-0 after the first quarter, with the Victors’ defense focusing heavily on Emma Ruhlman and Riley Childress. They face-guarded Ruhlman for a good portion of the game and provided consistent on-ball pressure to the point guard Childress.

Both did a great job affecting the game in other ways, however, and Taylor Childress was able to knock down some big shots in the second stanza – three 3’s in fact, on her way to 11 points and all of a sudden it was 22-18 at halftime.

“We had a great second quarter,” LaVan said. “They tried face-guarding Emma, denying her, and putting a lot of pressure on Riley. They did a good job of finding their open teammates.”

Points again were hard to come by in the second half, and Villa’s (13-4) Cassidy Creager was able to knock down a few shots to help the Victors pull away.

“We just couldn’t put the ball in during that third quarter,” LaVan said.

That being said, the Dragons (14-6) are the only District 10 team to play Villa within 28 points this season, doing so twice, playing to a 46-30 final at home last month.

Gracie Ruhlman finished with six rebounds, Emma Ruhlman six points and six rebounds and Riley Childress four assists. Kelsey Stuart also continues to round into form after returning from injury.

The Lady Dragons can lock up the top spot from Region 6 for the Class 5A playoffs when they host Harbor Creek on Thursday.

“This is great prep for the playoffs,” LaVan said.

Villa won the JV game, 46-18. Cara Munksgard had eight points and Carly Beers five for Warren.

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WARREN (25)

T. Childress 4-0-0-11, R. Childress 1-0-3-2, E. Ruhlman 3-0-1-6, Paris 1-1-2-3, G. Ruhlman 0-1-2-1, Beers 0-0-0-0, Stuart 0-2-2-2, Munksgard 0-0-0-0, Totals 9-4-10-25

VILLA (42)

Kelly 0-0-1-0, Majewski 1-0-0-2, Dunham 2-2-2-7, Thunell 2-2-5-6, Waid 4-1-2-9, Crager 7-0-0-14, Pearson 2-0-2-4, Constable 0-0-0-0, Totals 19-5-12-42

By Quarters

Warren 0 18 2 5 – 25

Villa 11 11 10 10 – 42

Three-point FGs: Warren (3) – T. Childress 3; Villa (1) – Dunham

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COCHRANTON 69, EISENHOWER 37

COCHRANTON, Pa. – A 24-4 first quarter spelled trouble for the Eisenhower Lady Knights in a 69-37 Region 2 setback against Cochranton on Monday.

“The difference in the first quarter was the press,” said Eisenhower coach Mike Logue. “We just had too many turnovers again.”

Jaidan Martinec and Megan Wright led five Cochranton players in double figures with 13 points apiece.

Senior Emiley Wheeler had another monster game for the Lady Knights, finishing with a game-high 20 points to go along with 10 rebounds.

“We calmed down a little bit and handled their press a little better in the second half,” Logue said. “We started to attack and get to the foul line.”

Eisenhower hosts Union City in their home finale on Thursday.

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EISENHOWER (37)

Marino 2-0-0-4, Peterson 1-1-3-3, Wheeler 8-4-8-20, Renninger 1-1-4-3, Chase 1-0-2-2, Jareno 0-0-1-0, Courtney 1-1-2-3, Smith 1-0-0-2, Strausser 0-0-0-0, M. Sleeman 0-0-0-0, Totals 15-7-20-37

COCHRANTON (69)

Richter 1-0-0-2, Martinec 4-2-2-13, Heim 3-0-0-6, Hiles 1-0-0-2, Wright 6-1-3-13, Moore 3-2-2-10, Miller 6-0-0-12, Harvey 5-1-1-11, Totals 26-6-8-69

By Quarters

Eisenhower 4 13 8 12 – 37

Cochranton 24 13 18 14 – 69

Three-point FGs: Eisenhower – None; Cochranton (5) – Martinec 3, Moore 2