HAMILTON – A strong team performance carried the Lakeland Christian Academy girls basketball team to a sectional win Wednesday night.

The Cougars opened sectional play by besting Howe 48-14 in the Class 1-A Hamilton Sectional.

LCA (6-13) advances to play host Hamilton (3-14) Friday night in a semifinal game at approximately 8 p.m. Hamilton defeated the Cougars 54-23 back on Dec. 7. Hamilton defeated Elkhart Christian 43-31 in Wednesday night’s other contest.

LCA built a 12-2 lead after the opening quarter Wednesday night and were never challenged by winless Howe, which finishes at 0-6.

Carissa Urschalitz  led the way for the winners with eight points. Rachel Sand and Hannah Remington each scored six points and Hannah Delp five for LCA.

The trio of Melissa Goss, Ellie Nieveen and Maryl Gerst each had four points for the Cougars. Joselyn Helton netted three points, while Emily McComb, Brighty Walters, Morgan Holsclaw and Julianne Haines each had two.

Daisy King scored nine points to pace Howe.

Semifinal play at Hamilton Friday begins at 6 p.m. with Fort Wayne Blackhawk (5-1) facing Bethany Christian (8-9).