By JIM WALKER

Tribune Sports Editor

PEDRO — The “D” got the Rock Hill Redwomen a “W.”

The Rock Hill defense came up with 23 steals en route to a 67-32 rout of the Racine Southern Lady Tornadoes Saturday in the season opener for both teams.

“Our defense looked pretty good. We’ve been working on our defense and they stepped it up. We really hustled,” said Rock Hill coach Alvin Carpenter.

Chelsea Harper had nine steals and Courtney Duncan swiped the ball eight times to lead the Redwomen defensively.

Brittany Thompson had 16 points and 11 rebounds to pace the offensive end for Rock Hill. Harper scored 14 points while Tommi Butler pulled down 10 rebounds.

Duncan had nine assists while Kelsey Blagg added nine points and five assists.

Harper scored eight points in the first quarter as Rock Hill jumped out to a 23-8 lead. Thompson got eight more points in the second quarter as the Redwomen stretched their cushion to 37-18 at the break.

Rock Hill hosts Green at 1 p.m. Saturday.

Southern 8 10 6 8 = 32

Rock Hill 23 14 17 13 = 67

RACINE SOUTHERN (32): Bailey Hupp 1 0 0-0 2, Emily Ash 0 0 2-2 2, Joyce Weddle 1 0 0-0 2, Courtney Thomas 3 1 2-5 11, Kelly Humphrey 1 0 0-0 2, Jessica Riffle 4 0 0-0 8, Chelstia Hendricks 0 0 1-2 1, Angie Kynon 2 0 0-3 4, Morgan McMillan 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 12 1 5-12 32. Fouls: 18. Fouled out: McMillan.

ROCK HILL (1-0): Chelsea Harpere 3 2 2-4 14, Kelsey Blagg 4 0 1-2 9, Lindy Simpson 1 0 0-0 2, Brook Knipp 1 0 1-2 3, Nicole Stamper 2 1 0-0 7, Courtney Duncan 1 0 1-2 3, Tommi Butler 1 0 3-5 5, Brittany Thompson 7 0 2-6 16, Ashton Neal 2 0 0-0 4, Brooke Hanshaw 0 0 0-6 0, Dani Crabtree 1 0 0-0 2, Sarah Travis 1 0 0-0 2. Totals: 27-64 (3-10) 10-27 67. Fouls: 16. Fouled out: None. Rebounds: 38 (Thompson 11, Butler 10). Assists: 17 (Duncan 9, Blagg 5). Steals: 23 (Harper 9, Duncan 8). Turnovers: 14. Blocked shots: Crabtree 2, Butler 1.