MOUNT ULLA — East Rowan’s girls topped 60 points for the fourth straight time on Tuesday, but coach Danielle Porter wanted to talk about defense.

“Defense is what we’re really taking pride in right now,” Porter said.

East Rowan won the South Piedmont Conference last season and stayed in contention for a repeat title with an easy 68-45 win at West Rowan. The Mustangs (7-1, 5-1) have looked good and have won four straight since they got a wakeup call — a 58-48 loss on their home floor to Hickory Ridge.

“I know the last few games haven’t been that competitive,” Porter said. “But we’ve learned something in all of them. Hopefully, the next time we’re in a tight game, we’ll be ready for it.”

The Mustangs got 23 points and 14 rebounds from UNC Asheville signee Kelli Fisher, who was too much for the Falcons to handle inside.

After the Mustangs took a 31-18 halftime lead, Fisher blew open the game with a flurry of 12 points in the third quarter that pushed the lead to 20.

“We’re a third-quarter team,” Fisher said. “We were able to take advantage of some things and my teammates made great passes.”

Fisher kept banking in layups  mostly because teammate Amani Ajayi  (six assists) was making nice entry passes to her from the foul line.

“Amani was the key to all those inside points,” Porter said. “We had our high-low working.”

The Pharr twins were good again, with Shenell scoring 11 and Shenique getting 10. Shenell hit a 3-pointer to end the third quarter. Ajayi and Jocelyn Lowe scored eight  points each. Shelby Benge scored six off the bench, Kaleigh Troutman had six rebounds off the bench. Shelby Lowe’s reverse layup was the shot of the night.

Khaila Hall had 16 points and six rebounds for the Falcons (3-6, 2-3). Taylor Martin had 11 points and five steals.

East Rowan has the best record of the eight teams in the Sam Moir Christmas Classic and stayed in the driver’s seat for the No. 1 seed.

EAST ROWAN  (68): Fisher 23, Shenell Pharr 11, Shenique Pharr 10, Ajayi 8, J. Lowe 8, Benge 6, S. Lowe 2, Troutman, Drew.

WEST ROWAN (45): Hall 16, Martin 11,  Lovell 7, Miller 5,  Vaughters 4, Charles 2, Cowan, Yow, Greene, Spratt, McNeely.

East Rowan                            16    1 5      21   16 — 68         

West Rowan                          12     6       13   14 — 45