Thomas Jefferson got back on the winning track Tuesday night, topping crosstown foe St. Albert for a second-straight year with a 46-35 victory at the St. Albert gymnasium.

Both teams took turns diving, jumping and racing around the court with frenzied effort that made the play look both sloppy and out-of-control at times.

"We had 17 turnovers in the first half and just 17 points (at halftime)," T.J. coach Nicole Vetter said. "That (17 turnovers) has a lot to do with why we only scored 17 points in the first half. St. Albert did a good job of pressuring us."

"I'm sure it wasn't fun to watch for the fans," St. Albert coach Tom Heithoff added.

Behind all that was a tough basketball game, which the Lady Jackets took charge of with a 10-0 run in the fourth quarter.

For three-and-a-half quarters the Saintes tried their hardest to out-hustle the hard-working Jackets, but St. Albert struggled with foul trouble limiting its rotations and wore down at the frenzied pace.

"We haven't had that kind of heart and effort in a team since 2000," St. Albert coach Tom Heithoff said, noting the Class 2A state tournament runner-up squad, which was rated No. 1 for most of the 2000-2001 season. "I'm happy with how hard we played."

Junior Jennifer Swotek started the key T.J. streak with a basket with 4:30 to go.

The next trip down the court Val Robinson came up with an offensive board and found Sarah King open for a basket.

Shilo Stockton followed with a baseline shot and Robinson concluded the 76-second span with a jumper and a pair of free throws, building the 33-32 lead to a 43-32 T.J. advantage.

"It wasn't like we changed our defense or did anything different," Vetter explained. "They just took it to another level."

Heithoff said it was tough to watch his team play catch up in the final few minutes after battling for three-plus quarters.

"I felt sad watching in the fourth (quarter)," Heithoff said. "I could see our girls were running out of gas and (T.J.) just started to pull away."

Swotek finished with a game-high 12 points to go with six rebounds and five steals. Five of the points and four boards came in the final quarter.

The game came one appearance after Swotek put up 23 points in an 8-for-12 shooting night against Sioux City East.

"Jen is just capable of taking it to another level," Vetter said. "Sometimes (like Friday against East) she's on the whole game. She wasn't on until the fourth quarter (Tuesday) but she found another way (to get started).

"That comes with age."

Robinson added nine points, six of which were in the fourth frame, while Sarah King scored four of her six points in the last quarter for the Jackets, who return home Thursday against Harlan.

Gina Assmann scored all of her team-high 11 points in the second half helping the Saintes stay in the game. Krista Kennebeck added six points and Aileen Mooney scored five to go with nine rebounds for the Saintes, who return to action Thursday with a rescheduled home game against Blair, Neb.

Thomas Jefferson 7 10 12 17 - 46

St. Albert 8 5 14 8 - 35

Thomas Jefferson: Val Robinson 9 (3s), Charis Oswald 0, Alyssa Hedrick 5, Sam Flowers 3, Jennifer Swotek 12 (6r, 5s), Cece Wright 2, Tiffanie Synacek 0 (4r), Shilo Stockton 6, Sarah King 6, Erica Whaley 0, Ashtyn Neill 4.

St. Albert: Krista Kennebeck 6, Melanie Hilderbrand 2, Kelsey Knutson 0, Gina Assmann 11 (4s), Amy Ryan 2, Becky Assmann 3, Lauren Doll 0, Becca Gradoville 2, Aileen Mooney 5 (9r), Trevour Yates 0, Morgan Wickersham 0, Allison Mooney 0.

Records: Thomas Jefferson (4-3), St. Albert (1-4).

Jeff Deluca - Daily Nonpareil - 12.14.05