Playing in front of a loud and packed gym on Friday night the Lady Roadrunners came out on top over the visiting Winslow Bulldogs in the bi-annual I-40 rivalry. Both teams came into the game with similar overall records and identical regular season marks. Holbrook started quickly jumping out to a 9-2 lead in the first two minutes of the game. Winslow, gathered themselves and outscored Holbrook 10-1 in the second half of the opening frame and led 12-10 at the end of the first. Matehya Aberle, Madison Chappell and Desirae Bain counted for all of Holbrook’s points. The second quarter was really the defining period for the Birds. Holbrook got three-point field goals from Abigayle Nez, Bain and Talynn Spencer, which help spark them to a 16-3 advantage in the second and take a 26-15 lead into the break. Holbrook got their running game going in the third where they had built as much as a 19-point lead in the third behind 11 points from Aberle in the quarter. The Bulldogs picked up eight from Andrea Willeto to keep the game within range for the Bulldogs. In the fourth Holbrook’s lead dwindled to as little as six before Holbrook was able to get eight free throws from Chappell to close out the 56-45 win. “Overall we played well. We were able to get out in transition and get some good looks by running the floor. When we can add some three-point field goals to that it really helps spread the floor for us. Madison, Matehya and Desirae really stepped up and Talynn had maybe her best game of the season for us. She needs to keep up that level of play. “We did have too many turnovers, which we need to address but I thought our defense was solid for most of the game. Abigayle did a tremendous job defensively on their leading scorer which really helped make a difference in the outcome of the game. Winslow is well coached and we know it will be a really tough game over there in a couple of weeks.” Aberle led all scorers with 22 points. Chappell added 13, and Bain finished with 10. Nez netted 5, Talynn Spencer and Alyssa Yazzie each had one three-point field goal. Holbrook went 17 for 26 at the free throw line and made five three-point field goals. Winslow was led by Andrea Willeto with 18 points. Brianna Little added 12; Kristin Wagner, 6; Aliyahna Vogele, 3; and Jalynn Edgewater, Taylor Butterfield and Aidan Jensen each scored two. The Bulldogs made eight of 16 charity tosses and connected on three long range field goals. With the win Holbrook improved to 15-5 overall and advanced their regular season mark to 6-5. After playing at top five ranked Snowflake on Tuesday the Birds will travel to Valley Sanders on Saturday. Next Tuesday they host Show Low. Winslow’s season mark fell to 11-8 and they moved to 5-5 in power point contests.