After a slow start for both teams, the Crimson found itself up 17-12 at the 10:15 mark before going on an 18-2 run that spanned nearly eight minutes.
During the run, Sturdy drained two three-pointers from the top of the key, scored another basket a step or two inside the three-point line and dished off to senior guard Courtney Egelhoff in the right corner for a jump shot.
"I think basketball is all about momentum," Sturdy said. "We definitely had it in that run in the first half. I felt confident with the pass or the shot. Our team is definitely running offenses well."
Sturdy finished with 20 points to lead all scorers, and her all-out play earned her a much-needed rest with 5:19 left when Ides entered the game for her.
The Pioneers cut the lead to 17 by halftime, 39-22, finishing on a Brooke Rutnik three-pointer.
Whatever Sacred Heart Coach Ed Swanson told his team in the locker room must have worked, as the Pioneers came out firing to open the second half.
Within a minute, Sacred Heart senior center Heather Yablonski hit a jumper from the left corner, fouled Johnson, who hit a free throw, and stole a pass.
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