At the opening tip of the girls basketball season way back in November, Lewis Central coach Chris Hanafan said he had as many questions as answers for his program.

The Titans had just two players returning with key varsity playing time - Mallory Husz and Diana Mescher - from the school's first girls state tournament team in 40 years.

"We knew coming into the season we were going to have some bumps in the road," Hanafan said.

As the postseason looms next month, some of those newcomers have found their place on the floor for the 9-6 Titans.

"We're getting better ... I'm happy with our progress," Hanafan said.

Case in point Thursday night, where Lewis Central had four players in double-figures as it rebounded from a loss to Class 3A No. 5 Denison-Schleswig by topping crosstown foe St. Albert 58-35 at the L.C. gymnasium.

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The big key for the Titans was their shooting from the floor. L.C. shot 52-percent Thursday, connecting on 22 of its 42 field goal attempts in the game.

"I was very happy with the execution on offense, especially in the first half," Hanafan said.

Husz had another all-around solid game, scoring 10 points to go with eight steals, eight rebounds and six assists. Mescher paced the team with 14 points and Jillian Flores and Megan Higgins each added 10.

St. Albert (1-11) has also had a lot of question marks this season, with just two juniors and two seniors on the roster, and is in the middle of a 46-day span in which the team plays no home games.

The Saintes kept the lead within sight for the first half, but the Titans continued to pull away after the break.

"I felt like we were in control," Hanafan said, "but St. Albert kept coming at us, coming at us and coming at us."

Senior Gina Assmann led the St. Albert attack.

The speedy Assmann hassled the L.C. guards and came up with double-digit steals to go with her game-high 19 points.

"She played a really good game," St. Albert coach Tom Heithoff said. "I think she was the best player on the floor tonight.

"She really did a nice job of bringing her game up."

Senior Aileen Mooney added six points in the post for the Saintes, who made just 11 of their 42 attempts (26-percent), and missed too many open shots to contend with L.C.

"We work on it," Heithoff said of his team's shooting performance. "It's just a matter of confidence I think."

Lewis Central hosts Glenwood tonight before a pair of big Hawk 10 games next week against Harlan and Kuemper Catholic, both of which handed the Titans a loss this season.

St. Albert meanwhile returns to the road as it opens the Centennial Conference Tournament, Tuesday.

St. Albert 8 8 6 12 -35

Lewis Central 13 14 16 15 - 58

St. Albert: Krista Kennebeck 2, Melanie Hilderbrand 0, Kelsey Knutson 3, Gina Assmann 19 (10s), Amy Ryan 0, Becky Assmann 2, Lauren Doll 3, Carolyn Koch 0, Becca Gradoville 0, Aileen Mooney 6, Trevour Yates 0, Morgan Wickersham 0.

Lewis Central: Gracie Thornton 0, Mallory Husz 10 (8r, 8s, 6a), Rachelle Osborn 2, Kim VanNordstrand 5 (3s), McKayla Christiansen 5, April Cooper 1, Lindsey Toole 0, Mandy Husz 0, Megan Higgins 10 (7r), Jillian Flores 10 (5r), Sarah Higgins 1 (3s), Cortny Knoble 0, Diana Mescher 14.

Records: St. Albert (1-11), Lewis Central (9-6).

Ratings: SWI: Lewis Central 5th (3A-4A).