After building a comfortable lead in the second quarter Tuesday, Upper Perkiomen's girls basketball team ramped up its game in the third quarter. The team

Freshman Grace Galbavy scored 17 points for the Tribe on  Tuesday night agains visiting Norristown.

delivered a near flawless performance during the eight minutes after halftime to bury Norristown and boost its confidence.

            Six Indians scored in a 57-26 victory in the Pioneer Athletic Conference. Sophomore Erin States scored a game-high 21 points. Freshman Grace Galbavy delivered 17 points to go with 10 rebounds, six assists, four steals and two blocks.

            "We're definitely having more fun than last year," States said. "I knew we had this kind of effort in us. We're finally getting used to playing with each other."

            Hannah Keeney delivered nine points for the Tribe (2-1 PAC, 5-4 overall), which never trailed and has already delivered its most successful season since 2013-14, when it won nine games. "I'm not surprised," head coach Matt Bowe said. "But I am delighted."

            Bowe described the victory over the visiting Eagles, the program's first against a Liberty Division opponent in several seasons, as a statement win. He said opposing coaches, who have historically ignored the Indians, should begin scouting the team or scrambling to find game video.  "The girls played phenomenally," Bowe said.

            The coach described any victory over a District One Class 6A opponent as significant. Norristown won the last meeting, in 2019, by 20 points. "This win gave the girls the confidence that they can battle with the bigger schools," Bowe said.

            Up 18-6 at the end of the first quarter, the Tribe picked up its level of play in the second quarter. States delivered seven points during the quarter. Her running one-hander along the right baseline sparked an 18-2 outburst.  Galbavy's five points capped the run. Her fast break layup staked the Indians to a 36-8 lead late in the second.

            The Tribe, playing without   regular starter Abby Pfander and key reserve Natalie Kearney for the fourth consecutive game due to district-imposed health restrictions, secured the win in the third quarter with near perfect execution. Bowe described it as the team's best quarter of the season. The team committed just one turnover and hit 8-of-10 shots from the field.

            "We beat our nemesis," the coach said of the third quarter, which has been an issue at times this season. "We usually find a way to pass the ball to the other team. But the girls stayed in the game and played like the score was 0-0. It was awesome."

            During a string of 14 consecutive points, States and Galbavy each scored six points. Gabby Neal's basket late in the third invoked the mercy clock and staked Upper Perk to a 55-41 lead.

            The Indians converted seven consecutive shots during the run, all within two feet of the basket.

            Galbavy, the team's main ball handler, dished out four assists during the outburst including all three of States' layups. According to Bowe, Galbavy and States, who have played together since the third grade, displayed their best connections of the season during the third quarter.

            "Grace knows how to get the ball to me where I like it," said States, who added eight rebounds and three blocks. "I know how to get the ball to her. We have a real good connection."