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Taylorsville • Playing defense is fun. At least that's how Skyline made it look Tuesday in the first round of the Class 4A girls' basketball state tournament.

The Eagles used quick hands and even quicker feet to force 20 turnovers and run away from Salem Hills for a 61-41 victory.

Skyline advanced to the quarterfinals for the fourth consecutive year and will meet tournament favorite Alta on Thursday.

"We had way better defense in the second half," Skyline junior Madison Grange said. "We communicated, we shared the ball and we had much better teamwork in the second half."

Grange scored a game-high 19 points and Hannah Anderl added 15 for Skyline (20-4), which broke open the game with efficient play at both ends of the court in the third quarter.

Salem Hills (10-13) trailed by seven at halftime but couldn't find passing lanes or open shots after the break. Skyline stepped in front of passes, which led to fast breaks and easy baskets and repeatedly switched on screens at the top of the key.

Skyline forced 10 turnovers in the third quarter, which sparked a 16-2 run that carried over into the fourth and effectively ended the game.

"A little bit of relief for a second," said Skyline coach Lynette Schroeder, who reminded her players of the major upset from earlier in the day – East's toppling of top-seeded Mountain View – and emphasized the importance of not overlooking an opponent. "I think we picked up their defense, which led to us getting more offensive opportunities."

Easier said than done, though.

"In the first half, I think we kind of underestimated them," Grange said. "We lost to them last year in the quarterfinals. We have to come out intense every game, no matter who we play. We have to have a tough mental game every game."

Terissa Hamilton scored nine of her team-high 13 points in the fourth quarter for Salem Hills, which reached the first round with a play-in win Saturday against Spanish Fork.

—

Skyline 61, Salem Hills 41

• Madison Grange scores a game-high 19 points to help the Eagles advance to the quarterfinals of the 4A state tournament for the fourth consecutive year.

• Terissa Hamilton scores nine of her team-best 13 points in the fourth quarter for Salem Hills.

• Skylines used a 16-2 run that spanned the third and fourth quarters to put away the game.