By Byron Beers/Staff Writer

CHICKASHA — It was a struggle for three quarters before El Reno was able to pull away from Chickasha Tuesday night and earn a 30-14 season-opening victory.

The Indians, ranked 11th in Class 5A, took a 16-12 lead into the final period before going on a 10-0 run that put the Fightin’ Chicks away for good.

Junior forward Kristin Horse scored six of her game-high 12 points during that stretch, including back-to-back baskets from inside that gave El Reno a 21-12 cushion.

“We kind of got it going during the fourth quarter,” head coach Eric Carr said. “Kristin had some good scoring opportunities down low, which we probably should have done a little more earlier in the game.

“I thought offensively during the fourth quarter we ran our stuff pretty well and executed like we needed to.”

Although the Indians were sluggish offensively for a good majority of the contest, it was their defensive play that proved to be the difference.