GRANITE QUARRY — Hickory Ridge’s girls stayed unbeaten Tuesday with a 58-48 win against East Rowan’s defending SPC champions.

The Ragin’ Bulls (6-0, 4-0) got big efforts from experienced guards Stacia Means (18 points) and Laura McManimen (13), but mostly the Mustangs hurt themselves. East Rowan paraded to the foul line for 34 free-throw attempts but made only 16. Those 18 unguarded misses were the difference.

“Eighteen missed free throws loses a ballgame — and then some,” East Rowan coach Danielle Porter said.

East Rowan was outplayed in the first half and trailed a Hickory Ridge team that has good size and good quickness 32-24 at halftime.

But the Mustangs (3-1, 2-1) turned things around early in the second half when 6-foot-3 post player Kelli Fisher scored 10 points in a three-minute span on four layups and two free throws.

“For five possessions, we listened and we executed,” Porter said. “But then we went back to not listening.”

East Rowan tied the game 42-all  late in the third quarter when the Pharr twins, Shenique and Shenell, convereted on a fastbreak, but Means answered with a critical, slashing, three-point play for the Ragin’ Bulls.

Momentum turned for good when Fisher sat down after her fourth foul, and McManimen made back-to-back clutch shots to put the Ragin’ Bulls back in control.

Shenell Pharr returned after missing two games with a concussion and scored 13 for the Mustangs. Fisher finished with 17.

But it was a disappointing night for the home team.

“It was a wakeup call,” Porter  said. “We’ve got to execute a lot better than we did tonight.”

HICKORY RIDGE  (58)

Means 18, McManimen 13, Miles 10, Smith 8. Manley 5, Shears 4, Jones.

EAST ROWAN (48)

Fisher 17, Shen. Pharr 13, Shen. Pharr 7, Troutman 7, Ajayi 3, J. Lowe 1, Drew, Benge, S. Lowe.

Hick. Ridge                      21    11     13   13 — 58         

East Rowan                     12     12    18   6 — 48