KAREN VIBERT-KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette Loyalsock’s Anna Burdett (12) and Hughesville’s Olivia Strothers reach for a loose ball during a game on Friday at Loyalsock.

Loyalsock defeated Bloomsburg by 24 points 11 nights ago, but left the court feeling unfulfilled. The Lancers knew they could play better.

And they have spent each day working toward that goal, elevating their performance each time. The power of that desire, the unselfishness the team displays and the talent it possesses were on full display Friday night as Loyalsock played one of its best games, scoring the first 19 points and thumping Hughesville, 55-22. The Lancers (14-1, 6-0 HAC-III) built a 31-2 second-quarter lead, inflicted the mercy rule midway through the third quarter and put on a team basketball clinic.

Summer McNulty and Maddie Fox each scored 15 points and the Lancers efficiently carved up one of the area’s top defenses. Loyalsock had 19 assists on its 21 field goals as each player took turns setting others up for good shots. Looks like that Bloomsburg game might have provided a turning point.

“We had a talk after our Bloomsburg game about sticking together through hard times,” McNulty said. “We’ve really built off that and down the stretch is where we’re really going to see that when it gets to those tougher games where we’re going to need to come together.”

The defending Heartland Conference champions keep growing close together each game and have won eight straight games, most coming against potential District 4 playoff opponents and tough non-conference teams. Why Loyalsock has become so good was evident against Hughesville. This is not five individuals competing, it is five athletes playing as one.

Loyalsock led 17-0 after the first quarter and 31-2 with more than three minutes remaining in the half. At that point, Loyalsock had 12 assists on its 14 field goals, doing damage inside, outside and in transition. This was a performance that would have made “Hoosiers,” fictional Hickory Huskers coach Norman Dale envious.

“We have a lot of players that can take their girls one on one if they needed to but I don’t like doing that. I don’t think that’s our style and I don’t want that to be a style. The best teams I’ve seen over the years are the teams that have a bunch of options and everyone gets a touch,” Loyalsock coach Curtis Jacobson said. “They have a common goal in mind and they’re working toward it. I can move people around and they really don’t care who scores, who shoots and it shows with our ball movement.”

“We always just look for that extra pass and if that extra pass is an open look then that’s the one you want to go for,” McNulty said. “I don’t think any of us are selfish and that’s great.”

The stomach flu slowed McNulty last week, but she is again at full strength and dealt five assists. The versatile sophomore scored 10 first-quarter points and had a hand in 14 of the team’s first 17. She also made all but one of the nine shots she attempted from the field and foul line. She and Fox combined for 15 3-pointers and Sam Stopper, Sarah Van Fleet and Juliana Cruz each had three assists.

Five players scored in the second quarter as Loyalsock used a 12-0 run to build its 29-point lead. McNulty and Fox then scored 13 quick points in the third quarter as Loyalsock took a 52-10 with three minutes remaining. At that point, the Lancers had made 18 of 27 shots.

“Ball movement and player movement are our two keys because if you’re standing still you’re easy to guard,” Jacobson said. “If you’re moving the ball and getting touches inside-out we shoot the ball better because we’re getting better looks.”

Loyalsock prevented Hughesville (7-6) from getting those quality shots. The Lancers smothered both ball-handlers and those away from the ball. Defenders stayed in front of whoever had the ball and clogged passing lanes, holding Hughesville without a field goal for more than the first nine minutes. Loyalsock also forced 12 first-half turnovers.

Maybe more impressive than the defense Loyalsock played was the communication showed. Every player was moving and every player was talking. If a teammate is out of position, another Lancer is there reminding her. Combine that with tenacity and movement and Loyalsock produced its best defensive performance yet.

“We do a lot of traps and traps are great, but traps are nothing if our off the ball people aren’t doing their jobs. We probably moved around better than we ever had and the thing about traps and defense is you can’t be afraid to be in the wrong spot. You have to go after it and if you’re not in the right spot you’re not the right spot and you just make up for it by hustling back,” Jacobson said. “We’ve been working hard with the communication process. Sarah has always been vocal, but now the others have bought in and they’re doing what they need to do and they’re doing it the correct way.”

Anna Burdett was key to Loyalsock’s defense and also provided a big offensive lift off the bench. The pesky forward scored nine of her 11 points in the second quarter, helping Loyalsock pull away. She also scored seven straight points at one time and made the first seven shots she attempted from the field and line.

“One thing you never question with Anna is her effort. She’s going to work harder than anybody,” Jacobson said. “She has a sense of where she’s at and she uses her body extremely well and she was really producing well.”

HUGHESVILLE (22)

Jade Cordrey 3 3-4 10, Alex Snyder 0 0-0 0, Olivia Strother 1 0-0 2, Sarah Pysher 2 0-0 4, Lauren Henry 1 1-2 4, Cierra Getz 1 0-1 2, Sydney Millheim 0 0-0 0, Maria Duff 0 0-0 0, Hailee King 0 0-0 0. Totals 8 4-7 22.

LOYALSOCK (55)

Summer McNulty 5 3-3 15, Maddie Fox 6 0-0 15, Sam Stopper 0 0-0 0, Sarah Van Fleet 2 0-0 4, Juliana Cruz 1 0-0 3, Cassie Gee 0 0-0 0, Anna Burdett 4 3-3 11, Sophia Gardner 2 0-0 4, Karyn Saar 0 0-0 0, Rachel Sheppard 0 0-0 0, Breana Free 0 0-0 0, Mia Patterson 0 0-0 0, Allyiah Kennedy 1 1-2 3. Totals 21 7-8 55.

Hughesville 0 8 6 8–22

Loyalsock 17 20 15 3–55

3-point goals: Hughesville 2 (Cordrey 1, Henry 1); Loyalsock 6 (Fox 3, McNulty 2, Cruz 1).

JV score: Loyalsock, 41-19.

Records: Loyalsock (14-1, 6-0 HAC-III), Hughesville (7-6, 1-5).