Only 42 seconds remained at Westminster last night before the South Carroll Cavaliers were able to remove their starters, something that has become more and more common of late this season.
It could almost be considered a compliment to a very good Owls team that did all it could last night to disrupt the Cavaliers.
The No. 6 Cavaliers had too many weapons and all the right answers in their 71-58 win over a Westminster team that was coming off a big win against Linganore on Tuesday.
It was the 19th straight win for the Cavs, who haven't lost since their opener against No. 2 Hammond on Dec. 5.
Nicole Spencer (18 points) and Ce Wagener (16 points) dominated inside and Amber Clutter (14 points) and Lindsay Vosloh (10 points) did most of the damage from the outside to lead the Cavs in clinching the Central Maryland Conference (10-0) and county title (4-0).
"As a coach, a run like this is a dream you always hope to see," said South Carroll coach Al Skierski. "To be able to experience it with a team like this is special. The team is like a family."
As has been the case all season long, different players stepped up at different times for the Cavaliers throughout last night's game.
It was Clutter early on who hit on her first three three-pointers, the last in the closing minute of the first quarter to give the Cavaliers a 24-16 lead.
No. 15 Westminster (15-4) made the first of a number of runs early in the second quarter to get within 24-22.
But it was Spencer's turn to temporarily take over with three baskets midway through the quarter, the last off a feed from Melissa Gettemy to push the lead to 37-28 with just more than two minutes left in the half.
"I'm really pleased with the way we're playing. We knew they would be ready, especially since they beat Linganore, and that was a signal we really had to be ready," said Spencer, who also dominated the boards.
Westminster's Jill Ibex did all she could to help keep the Owls close, scoring 14 of her 18 points in the first half as the Owls trailed 39-33 at intermission.
They got within two late in the third quarter before the Cavaliers ran off the last nine points in the quarter to take a 55-44 lead.
Carrie Tamburo, seeing her first action of the night in the third, hit a key jumper and later added a three in the run.
"That's what so good about our team, one person doesn't have to do it all," said Clutter. "Carrie came off the bench and hit the big two and then a three-pointer. Anyone can step up."
It became more evident with every Westminster run just how hard it had to work to just keep up with the Cavaliers. But the fourth quarter, it took its toll as the Cavaliers dominated the boards and eventually ran away from the Owls.
"It was a tough one," said Westminster coach Bernie Koontz. "They're a quality team and you can't afford to miss on chances against them. They always had someone else step up for them. They don't hurt themselves."
Said Skierski: "We got it from all the girls. Without [injured forward] Erin [Nauyalis], Ce stepped up big and Carrie Tamburo hit the only two shots she took.
"That was a real inspiration to the rest of the team."
Beth Lister finished with 14 and Lauren Kadlubowski added 10 to join Ibex in double digits for the Owls.
Last February, it was the Owls who came away with a 63-59 overtime win at home against South Carroll to claim the county title.
It was the only meeting between the two teams with the game at South Carroll canceled due to inclement weather.