A sound defensive performance carried the Hills-Beaver Creek girls’ basketball team to an upset victory over Westbrook-Walnut Grove Thursday in Westbrook.

H-BC, which surrendered 74 points to the Chargers during an eight-point home loss to W-WG Jan. 12, played defense with passion during Thursday’s rematch.

The 10th-seeded Patriots limited No. 7 W-WG to 39 points to set the stage for a 58-39 victory during an opening-round game of the South Section 3A Tournament.

“We executed very well defensively,” said EHS coach Kale Wiertzema.

“When we talk and communicate on defense, we can play very well.”

The Patriots played well enough to open a 25-22 advantage over the Chargers at halftime.

H-BC limited W-WG to 17 points in the second half and the Patriots scored 33 counters of their own to nail down a 19-point victory.

Heather Kerner led the Patriots with 17 points and nine rebounds in the game, while Jayme Plimpton turned in a 16-point, three-steal, three-assist effort.

Natalie Stueven and Brooke Tilstra collected seven caroms each.

Box score

P.Leuthold 1 0 0-0 2, Plimpton 2 2 6-8 16, Tilstra 1 0 2-3 4, Kruger 0 0 8-10 8, Vaughn 0 0 0-0 0, Stueven 2 0 4-4 8, Kerner 8 0 1-6 17, Van Westen 1 0 1-1 3.

Team statistics

H-BC: 15 of 47 field goals (32 percent), 22 of 32 free throws (69 percent), 31 rebounds, 17 turnovers.