The Reeths-Puffer girls basketball team used a strong fourth quarter to beat Grand Rapids Union 62-48 on Tuesday and capture its ninth straight victory.
R-P's Sophia Hekkema lit up the scoreboard for 24 points while Ariel Walker added 22 points.
The Rockets gained a big advantage from their free throw shooting, nailing 25 of 34 attempts. Hekkema was 11-for-13 from the line while Walker was 8-for-9.
Union was 7-for-16 from the line.
Reeths-Puffer led 15-14 after one quarter, 31-27 at halftime and 46-39 after three quarters. The Rockets pulled away with a 16-9 advantage in the fourth quarter.
R-P's Ashlynn Anderson (34), who led the Rockets with 10 rebounds on Tuesday.
The Rockets improved to 12-5 overall on the season and 8-1 in O-K Green conference play. They remain tied with Muskegon for first place in the conference standings.
“Union did a great job defensively,” said R-P Coach Rodney Walker. “They were able to disrupt what we like to do offensively. In the fourth quarter we were able to lock in defensively to create some offense, which allowed us to make some transition baskets and seal up the victory.”
Ashlynn Anderson had a big night on the boards for the Rockets, pulling down 10 rebounds. Billie Tryska added four rebounds while Irelyn Niklasch had three.
Tanayah Porter scored a game-high 27 points for Grand Rapids Union.
Reeths-Puffer will host Wyoming in another important conference battle on Friday.
