BAXTER – South Hamilton toughened up at the defensive end over the final three quarters and found its way to the finish line first in a Heart of Iowa Conference girls’ basketball game here Friday night.

After surrendering 10 first-quarter points, the Hawks (2-15, 2-11 HOIC) allowed just 10 more over the final three quarters in a 31-20 victory over CMB. South Hamilton swept the two-game season series from the Raiders (2-15, 1-13 HOIC).

“We struggled on offense a little at times, but we did a very good job defensively,” South Hamilton head coach Tony Woodall said.

South Hamilton blanked CMB during the second quarter and went into the intermission tied at 10. Up 16-14 after three quarters, the Hawks went on a 15-6 run over the final 8 minutes.

Diana Garcia scored eight of her game-high 15 points in the final period. She canned 7 of 9 free throws during that stretch. South Hamilton went 11 of 15 at the charity stripe as a team.

“We had another good game at the free throw line,” Woodall said. “We hit some big shots and free throws at important times during the game to give us the edge.”

Rylee Woodall and Anna Moss both scored six points. Bree Hodnefield added four points and 10 rebounds. Sydney Friest chipped in a point, six boards and three steals.

Moss (four), Garcia (three), Hodnefield (three) and Friest combined to collect 13 of the Hawks’ 15 steals.

Mikayla Eslinger scored half of CMB’s points.

Tigers down SH by 27

ELDORA – South Hardin outscored South Hamilton 9-0 in the second quarter to build a 24-7 halftime lead on its way to a 40-27 victory here Saturday night.

The Hawks (2-16) connected on just 7 of 45 shots (16 percent). Rylee Woodall drained the team’s only 3-point basket and scored a team-high five points. Friest and Raquel Holt added four points and Autymn Olson finished with three.

Miquela Teske was South Hardin’s only player to score in double figures with 10 points.