The New Hope Solebury girls basketball team used a 33-6 second quarter run to defeat Hatboro Horsham Hatters 51-33 Friday afternoon in the opening round of the Unionville Tip Off Tournament.

The Lions struggled to find their range early against Hatboro as the Hatters raced out to a 7-3 lead in the early going.

In addition, the Hatters were able to get New Hope’s best player, senior Reagan Chrencik, charged with three fouls early in the second quarter.

Unfazed however, the Lions began their scoring barrage shortly after Chrencik departed the game, led by standout freshman Gabby D’Agostino and sophomore stalwarts Izzy Elizondo. The Lions scores often in transition as the trio of underclassmen combined for 32 points on the night, led by D’Agostino’s 15.

“I thought we played tremendous team basketball tonight,” Lions head coach Steve Polinski said. “Our younger girls really responded to the challenge tonight.”

Chrencik returned in the third quarter and finished the game with 12 points and sophomore starter Ella Dudick helped control the glass with eight rebounds and four blocks.

Hatboro did manage to cut into the lead in the fourth quarter thanks to some tough defensive pressure that frustrated New Hope’s guards late in the game.

“Hatboro is a really well coached team,” Polinsky said. “Even when they were down they kept coming and made us earn what we got on each possession.”

The Lions will not have much time to celebrate the victory as they are back out at Unionville on Saturday to face the winner of Unionville and Conestoga Valley.