TURNER — Every couple of plays an athlete was knocked to the ground in this in-your-face girls’ basketball game, but a rough-and-tumble match is just what Leavitt Hornets ordered Friday night.

Players fell to the floor throughout this rowdy evening, but that was just fine for the Hornets (7-7), who got right back up off the hardwood to beat the Blue Blazes, 41-34.

“It was a high-energy game. I think both teams wanted to win tonight and it was a good battle and we came out on top,” Leavitt coach Dave Gerrish said. “I think we got a little more focused (in the second half). We got better on the glass. We rebounded better. Rebounding is key for us. When we rebound well, we play better.”

This physical game went both ways, but when the going got tough, the Blazers and Hornets got rougher. There was no let up for those fierce four quarters. Players bounced off the floor like a basketball of the glass.

Of course, numerous fouls meant more trips to the foul line, which again, worked out well for Leavitt. But sometimes, the best things in life are free. The Hornets scored 20 of their 41 points from the free-throw line.

Sophomore forward Sophie Gilbert found a home at the charity stripe, dropping in nine of her 11 foul shots and scoring the team-high 15 points. Gilbert’s pin-point foul shooting kept the Hornets in the game in the first half and sophomore guard Kassie Murch scored her five points from the free-throw line.

“We have been practicing (foul shots) a ton so that definitely makes a difference,” Gilbert said.

The Hornets came to life in the second half after Westbrook dominated the first with a full-court press and an off-and-on, man-to-man defense that disrupted Leavitt’s offense. The Blue Blazers (6-6) built a shaky 21-15, first-half lead.

“It happens when two aggressive teams go against each other,” Gilbert said.

But in the third quarter, Chantel Eells came to life and started the scoring off with one of her two 3-pointers. She scored eight of her 14 points and helped give the Hornets a 29-25 lead. Forward Audrey Varney pulled down three key rebounds and Eilzabeth Goulette was strong on defense throughout the night.

“I really wanted to win — pure determination,” Goulette said. “I was really tired at the end, but we really needed to win this game in the end.

“I personally enjoy physical games because you can just play. You are just allowed to play in the flow of the game without whistles stopping you.”

“Its (physical game) fun. That makes it fun. I like it,” Eells said. “It is better than the refs calling everything and us not being able to play.”

But Ells knew the Hornets were in trouble and might lose to Blue Blazers.

“I mean the locker room talk, and I feel like as a captain and leader, I have to be able to get the team going,” Eells explained.

Gilbert followed Eells’ lead in the fourth quarter, scoring five of her 15 points.

For Westbrook, junior guard Alisha Aube scored the game-high 16 points despite feeling the brunt of Leavitt’s physical game.

“Well, that’s how they (Hornets) play,” Westbrook coach Christopher Aube said. “I am not sure it is basketball to be honest with you.

“They can’t call as many (fouls) as they like to and we get caught up in it. We prefer to play basketball.”