Before his team took the court Friday afternoon against Flathead, Libby coach Jim May stressed offensive performance. “We need to be patient and we have to take care of the ball,” May said.

It was the Lady Loggers’ defense, though, that sealed their victory against the Bravettes. The Libby girls racked up 11 steals and two blocks on their way to a 42-33 victory at home.

The defense set the tone as Libby held Flathead to just three points in the opening quarter, a three-point shot by the Bravettes’ Sierra Siblerud with just 1:41 left in the period.

The Lady Loggers poured in 10 points of their own, pushing the Flathead girls back on their heels. As the first quarter ended the Bravettes were showing the impact of Libby’s aggressive defense, rushing shots and making errant passes.

That continued through the second quarter, as Libby scored another 13 points and held Flathead to just four, ending the first half with a 23-7 lead.

Flathead calmed down during the break and came out strong, scoring 14 and holding Libby to four. The Lady Loggers moved the ball well and played a patient offense, but the shots just wouldn’t fall in the third quarter. By the end of the stanza, their lead had dwindled to just six points.

After a one-for-two trip to the free throw line cut Libby’s lead to just five to open the fourth quarter, Hailey Craig hit a jumper from behind a screen to push the lead back to seven. Flathead then missed a shot and Craig came back with a three-pointer to push Libby back to a double digit lead.

In the end, the Lady Loggers proved too much for the visiting Bravettes. Hailey Craig led Libby with 15 points, seven rebounds and two steals. Hailley Moe and Devon Gallagher each chipped in nine points, with Moe adding nine boards and Gallagher three as the Lady Loggers left the court with a hard-fought 42-33 win.