MARTINSBURG, W. Va. – The Cumberland Valley Christian Blazers used an 18-5 surge after halftime to defeat Faith Christian 48-22 Tuesday evening in a Mason Dixon Christian Conference girls basketball game.

“We came out very slowly in the first half, and I did not like what pace we were playing at,” Blazers coach Dylan Ward said. “I thought Faith did an excellent job of slowing us down and playing solid defense. We also missed a lot of shots. However, the second half was a different story. We sped them up and made them uncomfortable all over the court.”

The Blazers (19-6, 11-3 MDCC) led 24-10 at halftime and then removed any doubt about the outcome with their 13-point advantage in the third quarter to go ahead 42-15.

Laurel Reitz scored 14 points and Amber Yanosik had 13 to lead the Blazers in scoring, and Sarah Vandersleen blocked nine shots. Also, Kyleigh Teal scored seven points, Mollee Stake five, Mariah Peck four, Jalen Moats and Emmalyn Hott two apiece, and Vandersleen one.

“I thought everyone did a great job tonight in contributing,” Ward said. “We were spread out in scoring, which is nice to see, and I thought Sarah Vandersleen had a great presence on the court with nine blocked shots. But now we look to Senior Night and then the playoffs. I think we are peaking at the right time.”

The Blazers host McConnellsburg Thursday in a non-league game for Senior Night and then as the third seed will host a first-round MDCC playoff game Tuesday, most likely against Faith. If they win Tuesday, they will advance to the MDCC Final Fur Feb. 21-22 in Martinsburg.

Cumberland Valley Christian’s Jalen Moats battles for control of the ball while teammates Laurel Reitz (10) and Mollee Stake move in during the Blazers’ 48-22 victory over Faith Christian Tuesday.