There was little suspense in the opening game of the East Peoria Regional as Galesburg defeated East Peoria 57-25 to advance to the regional final.
The Silver Streaks will face Morton at 6 p.m. Feb. 19 in East Peoria for a chance to move on to sectional play. The game is a rematch of Jan. 24, when Galesburg knocked off then-No. 1 Morton 38-34 in Class 3A.
The winner will advance to the Galesburg Sectional and face the winner of the Metamora Regional at 6 p.m. Feb. 24.
Using its pressing defense, Galesburg forced numerous first-quarter turnovers and raced to a 10-0 lead. East Peoria responded with seven straight points, but the momentum was short-lived.
The Silver Streaks answered with 15 unanswered points. Khloe May, making her first start of the season, hit two 3-pointers and added a field goal during the run. East Peoria did not score again until time expired in the quarter, when a foul sent the Raiders to the line for three free throws, cutting the deficit to 25-10.
Galesburg cooled off slightly in the second quarter but continued to capitalize on turnovers and steals to build a 40-17 halftime lead. Ella Herchenroder scored seven points in the quarter.
The Silver Streaks opened the second half with the first 10 points. East Peoria did not score until about the two-minute mark of the third quarter. Galesburg extended its lead to 52-21 by the end of the period.
With a running clock in the fourth quarter, the starters opened the frame before the bench played the final six minutes.
May led Galesburg with 11 points. Ella Herchenroder added 10, Grace Herchenroder had nine, Zaniyah Carter scored eight, Eleanor Johnson had seven, Jozalyn Kilgore added six, Taylor Herchenroder finished with five and Izzy Kennedy scored one.
Brayleigh Van Ness led East Peoria with 10 points.
Galesburg improved to 26-4, while East Peoria finished 3-27.
Morton, which defeated Limestone 70-28 in the second game of the regional, improved to 24-6. Limestone fell to 9-22.
The Galesburg Sectional begins Feb. 24, with the Galesburg-Morton winner facing the Metamora Regional champion. The winners of the Dunlap and LaSalle-Peru regionals will meet in the second sectional semifinal at 7:30 p.m.
