Hiland came away with a surprisingly decisive 68-45 win over defending Div. III state champion Youngstown Ursuline, ranked sixth by the AP.

Hiland began strong, racing out to a 15-5, first-quarter lead and never looked back in dominating the Fighting Irish before a sellout crowd at the Perry Reese Jr. Center in the final game on Day 1 of the Classic in the Country II.

"It was a great ending to a great day," said Hiland coach Dave Schlabach.  "The kids responded to a tremendous crowd.  That was one of our better team wins in years from the standpoint of contributions from everyone who played.

"we played with a lot of confidence.  I didn't expect to wear them down, but they got tired."

Ursuline probably got tired from chasing around after Hiland freshman Jena Stutzman, who had a breakout performance against the reigning Div. III state champs.  The Hawks rookie scored a career- and team-high 17 points, while adding three rebounds.

"We've been on her so hard this year," Schlabach said of the freshman.  "With (Leah and Launa Hochstetler) playing AAU ball, she led us in scoring all summer.  What she did tonight was not a surprise."

Stutzman was not alone in heroics for the home team as Lindsay Stuckey scored 15 points and Launa Hochstetler put in 13.  Leah Hochstetler added a team-high six rebounds, while Krista Beechy grabbed five for the Hawks, who dominated the glass to the tune of a 35-26 rebounding edge.

Hiland began picking apart the Fighting Irish early, opening the game on a 9-2 run and forcing four Ursuline turnovers in the first three minutes.

"We were focused and came out ready to play," Schlabach said.  "The energy of the event made a difference.  I just think how would it be for the other team coming in here with 50 fans and looking on the other side, seeing 800."

The Hawks took a 32-21 lead into halftime and then broke the game open with a 22-13 third quarter, in which Stuckey and Stutzman each scored seven of their points.

With a 54-34 lead going into the final period, all that was left to be decided in the fourth quarter was by how much the Hawks would outscore the visitors.

While Hiland was strong on offense, shooting 27-of-62 from the field and 5-of-12 from beyond the arc, Schlabach said he was more pleased with out-rebounding the Irish and holding them to 37 percent shooting (33.3 percent in the second half).

"No matter what you see on offense, for us it comes down to defense and rebounding,"Schlabach said.  "It's nice to see that come together."

Hiland's players and coaches will be able to sit back and enjoy today's six Classic in the Country showdowns before suiting up for the event's finale tomorrow night against Div. II's No. 1 ranked Akron Hoban (11-2).

"I told the kids they're going to see the best team (at the Classic) on Monday when they play Hoban," Schlabach said.  "It will be a great challenge and great finish to this weekend."