Krista Stricklin lit up the scoreboard with 22 points and Mallory Ray added 19 as Hayden took its third win in as many games Friday night, soundly beating homestanding Cleveland by a 61-42 tally.

The Wildcats ran out to a quick lead, making the most of their 18 steals in the game with a hot shooting touch in the early going and holding a 38-25 advantage by intermission.

The hot shooting turned cold early and fould became frequent, which meant that most of the second-half scoring came at the foul line. The Wildcats made the most of it, hitting 23 out of 32 form the line for 72 percent.

The frequent fouls resulted in 50 free throw attempts between the two teams.

Hayden built on its lead gradually through the second half, never going on any big run but simply stretching the lead out a point or two at a time.

Sissy Green’s 18 points plus 13 more from Jessica Holder accounted for most of the scoring for Cleveland (0-2). No one else scored more than three points for the hosts.

Tiffany Myrick added eight points for Hayden, and also totaled five steals and five assists.

Sam Niblett led all rebounders with nine boards.

Hayden travels to rival Corner on Tuesday night in a girls-boys doubleheader. The girls contest tips off at 6 p.m.

From staff reports