FAIRFIELD — A strong offensive start and dominant rebounding went a long way for the Lawrence girls basketball team Friday night.

The Bulldogs scored 19 points in the first quarter, including an 8-0 run, on the way to a 68-54 win over Cony at Folsom Gym.

Sophomore guard Maddie Provost led Lawrence (15-1) with 21 points, including five 3-pointers. Senior guard Kaylee Elkins had 16 points, while junior forward Lilly Gray added 14 points.

“I’m surprised (by the fast start),” Elkins said. “We usually come out a little slow. Right from the beginning, we were on passes. We were making layups, which can be kind of a struggle for us. And we were hitting shots when we needed to hit them.”

“I think (the fast start) all on us defensively, trying to get stops,” Provost said. “That turns into our offense.”

Junior Abby Morrill led Cony (9-7) while senior Morgan Cunningham and juniors Cassie Lacroix and Morgan Fichthorn each added 10 points.

Not only did Lawrence get out to a fast start, but it dominated on the boards. Junior forward Nadia Morrison grabbed 14 rebounds, eight of which came in the first half. Gray had seven, and sophomore forward Ashley Shores had six rebounds, along with 11 points.

“We talked before the game about how the big keys were playing defense, talking on screens, rebounding and helping get after those 50/50 balls, and none of those things takes talent,” Lawrence head coach Greg Chesley said. “I said, ‘If we go out there and do the things that don’t take talent, just takes heart, we’re going to be OK.”

The Bulldogs outscored the Rams 19-10 in the first quarter and kept the offensive pressure on in the second quarter, going into halftime with a 42-23 lead. Provost (16 points) and Elkins (10) paced the Bulldogs in the first half. Provost was especially efficient beyond the arc, nailing four 3-pointers in the half.

“I’m really happy with the way we played tonight,” Provost said. “All the momentum (going into the game) and feeding off the atmosphere tonight, which was really good for us.”

“(The win) was great and we came out hot,” added Elkins.

Cony showed fight in the second half, particularly the fourth quarter, where it outscored Lawrence by a 17-9 margin. Fichthorn added offensive help for the Rams, scoring all 10 of her points in the second half.

With the win, Lawrence finishes a sweep over the Rams for the regular season. The Bulldogs beat Cony 63-60 on Dec. 27 in Augusta. The defending Class A champion Bulldogs remain at the top of the Class A North standings. The Rams entered the game as the No. 4 seed.

“We lost to Hampden (Academy) this past weekend, and from what I’ve seen in the two games since, we’ve really learned from that,” Chesley said. “I think the girls are a little more focused and ready to go. As long as we can continue to take care of business in these last couple of games, I think things are going to line up OK for a good playoff run.”

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