Rockhurst has picked up steam lately, and beating its nearby rival kept the ball rolling.

The Hawklets, winners of their last four games, topped its state line rival Shawnee Mission East, 66-54, at East on Friday night.

“We don’t necessarily put one game bigger than another, but this game means a lot to the school, alumni and players, and to get a win at their place is big and keeps our momentum going,” said Hawklets head coach Billy Thomas.

The game see-sawed with the Lancers leading 13-11 after the first period, but Rockhurst rallied for a 31-28 lead behind Brady Maher’s 10 first-half points. The senior guard scored a team-high 16 points for the Hawklets

Rockhurst (12-6) expanded the lead for good as sophomore Max Moylan fired in nine of his 15 points in the third quarter, while the Hawklets also kept drawing fouls, hitting eight free throws in the period. Overall, Rockhurst netted 21 of 23 in the contest.

“Getting to the free throw line is always key and our guys hit their shots,” Thomas said. “The guys played good team basketball tonight.”

Kevin Sullivan added 13 points for the Hawlets, who now hold a 14-12 advantage in the 26-year series. Rockhurst will face St. James on Tuesday before taking on St. Thomas Aquinas on Friday and Creighton Prep (Neb) on Saturday.

Teddy Saylor led the Lancers (9-3) with 19 points, while juniors Will Beck (14) and Cole Chinnock (10) cracked double digits. Shawnee Mission East picks up action next Tuesday at Gardner-Edgerton.

Rockhurst (66)

Robinson 3 2-2 9, Moylan 5 2-2 15, Maher 6 2-2 16, Sullivan 4 4-4 13, Johnson 0 3-4 3, Hanson 0 2-2 2, Lamley 0 2-3 2, Effertz 0 2-2 2, Eskew 1 2-2 4. Totals 19 21-23 66.

Shawnee Mission East (54)

Beck 4 6-7 14, Chinnook 4 2-2 10, Saylor 6 6-6 19, Hoffman 1 0-1 2, Brock 3 2-2 7, Kante 1 0-0 2. Totals 18 16-18 54

Three-pointers: Moylan 3, Maher 2, Robinson, Sullivan; Saylor, Brock 

Score By Quarters
Rockhurst    11    20     20    15 - 66
SM East         13    15    13    13 - 54