Damaris Diaz reaches for the ball during the opening tip against Jess Johns of Sterling Newman. [Photo by KHS photography student Ra’Kiya Amos]

The Kewanee Boiler Girls used a 17-5 first quarter jump-start Thursday night to pick up a 45-33 home conference win over Sterling (Newman Central Catholic). 

Junior forward Tejhiana Amos led Kewanee with 10 first quarter points and junior point guard Mya Dearing added five. 

The Comets outscored the Boiler Girls 11-4 in the second quarter, but Kewanee maintained a 21-16 lead at the half and 33-26 after three quarters of play. 

The Boiler Girls outscored Newman 12-7 in the final quarter to secure the 45-33 win. Amos scored 10 more points in the second half and Dearing chipped in with six. 

Amos led all scorers with 24 points and Dearing had 11 in support. Jess Johns scored 10 on the night for the Comets. 

Kewanee avenged an earlier season 51-42 loss to the Comets. The Boiler Girls are now 5-12 on the season and 2-2 in TRAC (East) action, while Newman slips to 10-11 and 3-3. 

Next up for the Boiler Girls is St. Bede Academy on Saturday at 11 a.m. at Peru.