SUGARCREEK — Few Inter-Valley Conference coaches can say they have Dave Schlabach's number. In fact, there aren't many teams in the IVC that have even beaten Hiland. Except for Garaway's Scott Bardall.

The last IVC team to defeat Hiland did it again Wednesday in Sugarcreek, where Bardall's Pirates posted a 38-27 win over the Hawks.

The Pirates handed the Hawks their last league loss on Jan. 10, 2008. Since then, Hiland had won 42-straight league games.

"My teams have played Dave Schlabach's teams way too many years to ever say that we have their number," Bardall said with a laugh.

"We settled down in the second half and did a much better job of playing the floor instead of playing the black shirt in front of us," he added.

Garaway led 9-8 after the first period and the game was tied at 13 at intermission in this defensive slugfest. Garaway made only four first half field goals on eight shots, while Hiland managed only 5-of-17 in the opening 16 minutes of action. While the Pirates adjusted things in the second half, the Hawks continued to struggle and wound up hitting just three field goals in the entire second half.

"They plain out beat us," Schlabach said. "I thought their seniors willed their way in that third and fourth quarter. I thought they played harder, I thought they played more confident. I thought their go to players played and I felt our go to players ran into a hole.

"I told these kids all along, we will get what we deserve, and tonight I thought we got what we deserved. We don't have anybody who can create a shot, other than Meagan Hall," Schlabach continued. "We lost because of lack of effort in June, July, August, September and October. We're not skilled enough to create our own shots. Three of our kids who are averaging double figures combined for two field goals. That's lack of skill and lack of desire. We got killed on the boards. They beat us in every facet of the game."

Garaway's patient offense helped the Pirates pull out to a 23-17 advantage after three quarters, and then Anya Misko took over inside, hitting four straight field goals to stretch the lead out to 10.

"Their guards, (Ally) Miller and (Andrea) Kettlewell did a great job of handling the pressure the whole game," Schlabach said. "We tried to wear them down. We couldn't do it. We missed a couple opportunities for a run in the second quarter. Overall, it was an extremely disappointing effort on our part."

The Garaway coach praised the inside play of Misko and her teammates for getting her the ball when she was open.

"We had to score inside to take the pressure off the perimeter," Bardall said. "The more effective we were at getting to the paint, the more effective we were.

"I've heard it said that anybody can make 4-footers. But somebody has to do something in order for those 4-footers to be available," he added. "I'm sure we have to compliment our ability to move the ball unselfishly in order to get those 4-footers.

"We don't have a kid who can get you off the dribble, break you down and create their own shot. We have to depend on each other."

Misko finished with eight points, while Andrea Kettlewell led the way with 10, hitting 3-of-4 free throws down the stretch to seal the deal.

Meagan Hall paced Hiland with 12 points and three rebounds before fouling out with 1:10 remaining in the game.

"Every game is a learning opportunity, like our loss to Newcomerstown. Sometimes the bitter lessons are the better lessons," Bardall said. "I'm just thankful that today we didn't have to take a punch in the nose to learn we don't have to panic under pressure. We can be deliberate, mentally tough and be good.

Hiland dipped to 4-1 with the loss, while Garaway improved to 4-1 (3-1 in the IVC).