Nevada’s perfect run through the HOIC continued on Tuesday, as the Cubs racked up 19 steals and forced 32 turnovers in a 45-26 win over South Hamilton. The length advantage Nevada possessed prove to be detrimental for the Hawks, who failed to establish any sort of offensive rhythm.

“Once again, turnovers killed us in this game,” South Hamilton head coach Mark Henderson said. “We could never get into any rhythm on offense because we gave away the ball too much. Nevada has tall girls, and we tried throwing over the top of them way too much.”

Nevada (3-3, 3-0 HOIC) took control with a 15-3 second-quarter run that saw its lead increase from two to 14 points at the break. South Hamilton (1-4, 1-1 HOIC) hung within five in the second half, but the damage was done.

“They scored off a couple turnovers (in the second quarter) and then hit a wide open 3 on an out of bounds play where we got lost,” Henderson said. “From that point on we were trying to play catch-up.”

South Hamilton junior forward Caleigh Hewitt puts up a turnaround jumper over two Nevada defenders during Tuesday’s HOIC contest in Nevada. Hewitt scored a team-high eight points for the Hawks, who were unable to keep up with the Cubs in a 45-26 loss. DFJ photo/Angela Hewitt

Even when South Hamilton did get looks at the basket, too often it failed to capitalize. The Hawks shot just 24 percent (8 of 33).

Caleigh Hewitt paced the Hawks with eight points, and Makena Galetich scored all six of her points from behind the 3-point arc. Emma Lewis added three points and four steals. Galetich had a team-high five thefts.

Henderson was encouraged by his team’s defensive effort, particularly against the Cubs’ size in the paint.

“I think we’re playing good enough defense to be in most games, but we must continue to improve on our offense,” he said.

Shelbi Hazlitt dropped in nine points for Nevada, while Sydney Mosinski and Contessa Borwick added eight each. The Cubs connected on six 3-point attempts, two of the makes coming from Hazlitt.

South Hamilton will face its fourth ranked opponent of the season on Friday when it entertains No. 9 (Class 3A) Roland-Story at 6 p.m.

Nevada 45, South Hamilton 26

Tuesday at Nevada

South Hamilton (1-4, 1-1 HOIC) — Tanna Thompson 0 0-0 0, Emma Lewis 1 1-2 3, Paige Evans 0 1-2 1, Makena Galetich 2 0-2 6, Kate Barkema 0 0-0 0, Mackenzy Grady 1 0-0 2, Caleigh Hewitt 3 2-5 8, Ashlyn Erickson 1 2-2 4, Grace Neuberger 0 2-2 2. Totals: 8 8-15 26.

Nevada (3-3, 3-0 HOIC) — Sydney Mosinski 4 0-0 8, Contessa Borwick 3 1-2 8, Savannah Skaggs 1 0-0 2, Shelbi Hazlitt 3 1-2 9, Bridget Cahill 1 0-0 3, Aubrey Gibson 2 1-3 5, Ella Higgins 0 0-0 0, Kayla Dunson 1 0-0 2, Mayzi Weig 1 0-0 3, Katelyn Kingsbury 0 0-0 0, Madelynn Dunham 2 0-2 5. Totals: 18 3-9 45.

S. Hamilton 5 3 11 7 — 26

Nevada 7 15 12 11 — 45

3-point field goals — SH 2 (Galetich 2); Nevada 6 (Hazlitt 2, Borwick, Cahill, Weig, Dunham). Rebounds — SH 29 (Evans 6, Galetich 5). Steals — SH 14 (Galetich 5, Lewis 4). Assists — SH 6 (Thompson 2, Grady 2). Turnovers — SH 32. Team fouls — SH 10, Nevada 16. Fouled out — none.