GODFREY • After a sluggish and often sloppy first half, Jerseyville put together a solid second half, especially the fourth quarter to earn a 43-30 victory against Cahokia in the first round of the Alton Tip-off Classic on Monday.

The Panthers (1-0) held a slim lead for much of the game, including a 21-20 at halftime and 26-24 after the third quarter. In the fourth, junior Bethany Muenstermann hit three of her game-high four 3-pointers to help the Panthers pull away.

Jerseyville outscored the Comanches 17-8 in that final frame.

"We slowed it down," junior guard Mackenize Thurston said. "And when we slowed down a little bit we ran the offense better and got layups, instead of just shooting a bunch of 3s. We rebounded better and didn't have as many fouls."

Both teams were whistled for an inordinate amount of fouls in the early going. They combined for 16 in the first quarter and had 25 at the half.

It was an adjustment for both teams that Jerseyville seemed to handle a bit better.

"It was tough," said Thurston, who picked up two quick fouls and had ju