Immediately after winning the opening tip, Gianna Sirianni took a touch pass and converted a layup in the paint for the game’s first two points. She was just getting started, and so was the rest of her team.

Not even five minutes into the game, Southwestern led the Hillbillies 12-0. By halftime, the Trojans led by 25 points, 38-13. Southwestern finished off Tuesday’s Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Athletic Association Division 1 contest with a 21-point victory, 66-45.

“It was a great first half. I’m happy with the girls for the way they played that first half,” said Southwestern head coach Kay Sirianni. “I think it’s really important to start fast, because if you can take that initial lead, that gives you the momentum that you need to win the game in the end.”

Six minutes into Tuesday’s game, Southwestern (7-4, 5-0) led 18-2. Fredonia (4-5, 1-3) scored the final four points of the opening frame to pull back within a dozen, down 18-6 after the first quarter.

OBSERVER Photo by Ashleigh Brown Fredonia’s Naomi Muck drives to the basket between Southwestern’s Braya Beaver, left, and Jada Edwards during CCAA Division 1 girls basketball action in Fredonia on Tuesday.

The first half ended just the way it began, as a high arcing 3-pointer by Braya Beaver fell with 3 seconds left on the clock. It capped an 11-0 run for the Trojans.

Southwestern’s lead remained in double digits for the final three quarters, led by a smothering press defense that forced 23 Fredonia turnovers. The Trojans led by double digits for 28 of the 32 minutes of Tuesday’s game.

“I’m impressed with their press. They hustled and got some steals, and some easy baskets,” Kay Sirianni said.

Both teams made adjustments in the second half, as Southwestern pulled back off its press and tinkered with various schemes throughout the final two periods of play. Coach Sirianni was happy that her team was still able to come out with a victory while trying out a few different schemes.

“They are a very disciplined team. One through eight, they can play, and Kay has them trained very well. They are very well-coached,” said Fredonia head coach Brianne Flowers.

Fredonia also pulled off its press and spread out defensively in the half-court, which led to more contested shots in the second half. Fredonia’s offense was much more successful in the second half thanks to transition opportunities.

“We aren’t a half-court team. If we can run and we’re able to get steals, that’s where we’re looking to score, in transition,” Flowers said.

As bad as things looked in the first half for Fredonia, Flowers was proud of her team’s effort in the second half. Despite being outscored by 25 points in the first half, Fredonia was only outscored by five points in the third quarter. The Hillbillies ended up outscoring the Trojans by four points in the second half overall thanks to a 22-13 advantage in the final period.

“I’m really hoping that this builds the confidence of my girls. Southwestern has a dynasty as a great basketball program. We lost to them by 60 last year. That could’ve happened again here tonight,” Flowers said. “I told them in the locker room how proud I am of them for not quitting until the buzzer.”

Fredonia was led by Cece Tonelli with 12 points, nine of which came in the second half, along with four steals. Madelyn Polhamus had 11 points, plus a team-high seven rebounds. Isabella Buckley and Aria Russo each had 6 points in the second half.

Gianna Sirianni led Southwestern with a game-high 20 points on Tuesday, along with five assists. She was one of four Trojans with at least 12 points, as Charlotte Beaver had 16 points while both Braya Beaver and Marlana Cresanti had a dozen apiece. Cresanti led the team with seven rebounds, six assists and six steals. Jada Edwards added 6 points, five assists and five steals.

“We need double digits from several of our players. We can’t rely on the same couple players to score big numbers,” Kay Sirianni said. “Our word of the week is unity, and I think it’s really important that they are not selfish, and that they play like a team. When you see a lot of scorers, it shows that they are playing like a team.”

Up next, Southwestern travels to Salamanca on Friday, while Fredonia travels to Falconer that same night. Fredonia plays a nonleague game against Silver Creek on Sunday morning at SUNY Fredonia.

SOUTHWESTERN (66)

Sirianni 8 0 20, Brown 0 0 0, Cresanti 4 4 12, Charles 0 0 0, BBeaver 4 3 12, Edwards 3 0 6, CBeaver 8 0 16, Ricker 0 0 0. Totals 27 7 66.

FREDONIA (45)

Russo 3 0 6, Burrows 1 0 2, Muck 1 0 2, Delcamp 1 0 2, Buckley 2 0 6, Smith 0 0 0, Polhamus 5 1 11, Snycler 2 0 4, Tonelli 5 1 12. Totals 20 2 45.

3-point goals–Sirianni 4, BBeaver, Buckley 2, Tonelli.

Southwestern 18 20 15 13 — 66

Fredonia 6 7 10 22 — 45