JUDA - Juda girls basketball coach Curt Brown wanted his team to get a challenge before a big showdown with Black Hawk Friday night.

Brown got his wish as the Panthers picked up a 59-50 win over Belmont Tuesday night.

"We needed to have some competition to get ready for Black Hawk on Friday," Brown said. "This is the close game we needed. This is a common opponent with some other teams that will be in our regional."

Juda (6-3, 0-1 Six Rivers East) outscored the Braves 16-4 in the second quarter to open up a 23-12 halftime lead.

The Braves outscored the Panthers 18-11 in the third quarter, but the Panthers held on for the win.

Juda sophomore Ellen Kiser scored a game-high 24 points and had 21 rebounds.

Juda junior Lauren Dunwiddie, who scored 12 points, sparked the Panthers in the second quarter. Dunwiddie scored eight of her 12 points in the second quarter to help the Panthers build a 11-point halftime lead.

"Lauren has been really stepping up," Brown said. "She has been turning up the defense."

Senior Larissa Klemm scored eight points and Heather Boeke had seven.

Juda beat Belmont 43-30 in the junior varsity game. Juda will host Black Hawk Friday and will play at Monticello Monday.