Ellwood City grabbed a 34-17 halftime lead and cruised to a nonsection win over Laurel.

Ellwood City led 13-11 after one quarter before breaking it open in the second quarter.

Laurel kept battling in the fourth quarter, outscoring Ellwood City, 20-12, in the period.

The Lady Wolverines forced the Lady Spartans into 28 turnovers. Ellwood City committed 18.

“This game was closer than the final score indicated,” Lady Wolverines coach Bill Gottuso said. “Both teams were going back and forth; they missed a few shots and we made a few to take a nice lead.

“Our pressure defense forced them into some turnovers, too.”

Michelle Nocera recorded a game-high 20 points for Ellwood City (7-9), to go along with seven rebounds and six assists. Nicole Nocera, Michelle’s sister, chipped in with 14 markers.

Michelle Nocera has 985 career points.

Angela McCowin pulled down seven rebounds for the winners and Allison Marshall added five steals.

Marisa Wallas paced Laurel (5-10) with 12 points and 11 rebounds, while Brooke Dicks tossed in 10 markers.

The Lady Spartans were just 20 of 65 from the field.

“Ellwood City just played with more heart and more intensity than we did,” Laurel coach Jessica Shevitz said. “They deserved to win.

“I thought we would be OK after the first two minutes of the game. But Ellwood City came to play and we didn’t.”