The Spartans had their second-best defensive effort of the season on Saturday and opened Illini Prairie Conference play with a decisive 55-19 victory over visiting Chillicothe IVC.

Payton Jacob tallied 14 points for SJ-O. Katie Cramer hit 10 points. Both players converted two three-point shots.

Seven of Jacob’s points came in the first quarter as the Spartans jumped into a 17-6 lead.

SJ-O was sent to the free-throw line just twice and Jacob made both attempts in the third quarter.

Taylor Wells added eight points and Ella Armstrong netted six for SJ-O.

The Spartans’ lead was 29-10 at halftime.

The only opponent that was held to fewer points in a game this season by SJ-O was Iroquois West, which was limited to 16 points in the season’s second game.

SJ-O (14-4) has won six of its last seven games and returns to action tonight at home against St. Thomas More.

The post St. Joseph-Ogden defense holds Chillicothe IVC under 20 points first appeared on SJO Daily.