The Lyle-Pacelli girls basketball team held its eighth opponent to less than 30 points this season when it put the clamps on LeRoy-Ostrander in a 59-38 win in Pacelli Gym Tuesday.

The Athletics (15-2 overall, 10-2 SEC) opened the game on an 18-4 run and they cruised from that point on.

“It’s a team defense and all five girls play well together,” LP head coach Brad Walter said. “When you double up on the basketball, it puts a lot of pressure on the other team.”

The Athletics forced 27 LO turnovers and they held Becca Bunne, one of the Cardinals’ top play-makers to zero points.

LP sophomore center Madison Truckenmiller, who had 14 points, 12 rebounds and two blocks, said the strategy was to block off the lane.

“(Bunne’s) got a mean drive, so we were kind of collapsing on her and closing out strong on their three pointers shooters,” Truckenmiller said.

Truckenmiller said things are a little different this year for LP than in year’s past. Instead of looking to get a home game in the play-in round, the Athletics are aiming at one of the top seeds in Section 1A.

Still, the Athletics aren’t looking past anyone.

“You can’t really underestimate your opponent. You’ve got to go out there like it’s your last game and play as a team,” Truckenmiller said. “We always have a bigger goal to keep playing great and we’re always trying to get better in practice.”

Ann Rysavy had 18 points, five rebounds, four assists and seven steals for LP and Jessica Jennings led LO (8-12 overall, 7-6 SEC) with 11 points.

LO 15 13 — 28

LP 37 22 — 59

LP scoring: Ann Rysavy, 18; Madison Truckenmiller, 14; Sarah Holtz, 10; Courtney Walter, 6; Annie Holtz, 4; Brooke Walter, 4; Kendal Truckenmiller, 2; Bethany Strouf, 1; free throws: 64 percent (7-for-11); rebounds: 41 (Madison Truckenmiller, 12); turnovers: 22

LO scoring: Jessica Jennings, 12; Megan Grant, 7; Dana Miller, 5; Sam Siskow, 3; Laura Stevenson, 1; free throws: 47 percent (7-for-15); rebounds: 40 (Becca Bunne, 6); turnovers: 27