The No. 5 ranked Lyle-Pacelli girls basketball team picked up a big win in the conference and section standings when it topped Spring Grove (15-6 overall, 14-1 SEC) 68-52 on the road Monday.

The Athletics trailed 39-30 early in the second half when they put on a 24-1 run to take the game over.

“Our kids really answered the bell in the second half,” LP head coach Justin Morris said. “We challenged them at halftime and they responded in a big way. I couldn’t be more proud of this group of kids. It’s a signature win for our program.”

LP sophomore Sarah Holtz played a big part in the win as she tallied 28 points, 11 rebounds, five steals and three blocked shots. Courtney Walter added 17 points, four assists and four steals.

“Our press really wore them down in the second half,” Morris said. “We forced turnovers and got transition buckets. We rotated kids and kept fresh bodies on the floor.”

The win puts LP (19-0 overall, 15-0 SEC) a full game ahead of the Lions with just three conference games left on the Athletics’ schedule. The Lions had won their previous 87 games in the SEC.

LP and SG will meet again in Lyle Feb. 21 at 7:15 p.m.

SG 36 16 — 52

LP 25 43 — 68

LP scoring: Sara Holtz, 28; Courtney Walter, 17; Ann Rysavy, 10; Madison Truckenmiller, 9; Bethany Strouf, 3; Brooke Walter, 1; field goals: 44 percent (20-for-45); 3-pointers: 28 percent (4-for-14); free throws: 70 percent (24-for-34); rebounds: 38 (Holtz, 11); turnovers: 28