Topeka ? Behind a game-high 18 points from junior E’lease Stafford, Lawrence High’s girls basketball team earned a 71-60 road victory over Topeka Hayden on Tuesday.

The score was tied at halftime, but the Lions pulled away with a big third quarter against the Wildcats (0-1, ranked No. 1 in 4A-II).

“Great team win for us,” LHS coach Jeff Dickson said. “E’lease and Skylar (Drum) were amazing. Our team defense in the third quarter was the difference in the game.”

The Lions (2-0, No. 7 in 6A) will play host to Notre Dame de Sion (Mo.) at 7 p.m. Friday.

Lawrence (71)

Hannah Stewart 1 1-2 4, Olivia Lemus 4 2-3 10, Skylar Drum 4 0-0 10, Sammy Williams 2 2-4 6, Talima Harjo 0 2-4 2, Tamo Thomas 3 2-2 9, E’lease Stafford 7 4-5 18, Chisom Ajekwu 6 0-0 12.

Hayden (60)

Reid 4 5-10 13, Hunter 6 1-1 16, McGreevy 2 0-0 6, Finley 2 2-2 8, Karolevitz 2 0-0 6, Ellis 0 2-2 2, Shurtz 2 0-0 4, Hillmer 1 1-4 3, Purcell 1 0-0 2.

Lawrence 16 15 21 19 — 71

Hayden 12 19 12 17 — 60

Three-point goals: Lawrence 4 (Drum 2, Thomas, Stewart); Hayden 9 (Hunter 3, Finley 2, Karolevitz 2, McGreevy 2).