Top-ranked Iowa City West came to Cedar Rapids Friday night for its first true test of the season, facing No. 8 Xavier. The Women of Troy punched the Saints in the jaw early to carry them to a 56-37 victory.

“It was the first full game these kids had to play,” West Coach BJ Mayor said. “It was good for us to see a good team.”

Iowa City West came out fast in the first quarter going on a 17-2 run. The Saints made just one field goal, shooting 1 for 16 as a fast Women of Troy team pressured the ball aggressively.

“We like to get out early and run,” junior Ally Disterhoft said.

Coach Mayor agreed with his leading scorer.

“The kids really feed off that," he said. "It allows them to play loose and puts more pressure on the other team.”

Xavier Coach Tom Lilly thought it was unfortunate that his team started that slow, but was not all that surprised.

“Except once, our first quarters have all been like that. It is unfortunate against a team like that,” Lilly said. “It isn’t new (for the Saints to start slow) we just aren’t use to playing an offensive juggernaut like West.”

The Saints composed themselves in the second quarter, forcing Iowa City West into turnovers of their own. Xavier also hit its first four shots and improved greatly on the offensive end. Still, West led 32-16 at halftime.

Disterhoft led the Women of Troy in their early outburst with 14 of her game-high 19 points in the first half.

After looking like they would be another victim off the highest scoring team in the state, the Saints found success in the third quarter slowing down the West attack and pounding the ball inside. Starting Xavier posts combined for 7 of the Saints 17 in the quarter.

“They did a good job getting it inside, they have good bigs,” Mayor said. “We got a little out of sorts.”

Lilly liked how his team played in the third but hoped for the same effort all game.

“It was the game plan all week (to go inside),” Lilly said. “We couldn’t simulate their speed, pressure or athleticism in practice.”

After the Saints had powered back into the game in the third, West showed why it is the best in the state, taking control early in the fourth with some quick lay-ups.

“Xavier is a great team and great teams are going to make runs,” Disterhoft said. “I was confident in the team to be able to pull through.”

Xavier's Lilly tried to stop the bleeding in the fourth, using three timeouts early the quarter in an attempt to keep the game from slipping away. In the end West spread the floor using their speed and defense to pull away.

“We have enough ball handlers to spread the floor and kill time or get lay-ups,” Mayor said.

The Saints were held to just four points in the fourth quarter.

The Saints have another tough game against Davenport Assumption on Tuesday.

Iowa City West travels to Linn-Mar on Tuesday.

IOWA CITY WEST (56): Ally Disterhoft 7 4-5 19, Brianna Strutz 1 0-0 3, Shelly Stumpff 6 0-0 14, Jessica Shull 1 0-0 2, McKenzie Piper 3 0-0 7, Tatum Klein 4 3-4 11, Shahana Williams 0 0-0 0, Kelley Fliehler 0 0-0 0. Team 24 6-9 56.

CEDAR RAPIDS XAVIER (37): Kayla Armstrong 2 0-0 4, Annie Dale 1 0-0 2, Katlyn Anderson 1 0-0 2, Emily Walvoord 4 1-2 9, Alex Bartz 4 2-5 10, Nicole Noonan 0 0-0 0, Ashley Stulken 1 0-0 2, Sarah Dickes 1 2-3 4, Lisa Boomgarden 0 0-0 0, Hayley Deutmeyer 2 0-1 4, Katelyn Winker 0 0-0 0, Maddie Bertsch  0 0-0 0. Team 17 3-7 37.

Halftime – IC West 32, Xavier 16. 3-point goals – IC West 5 (Disterhoft, Stumpff 2, Piper, Strutz), Xavier 0. Total Fouls -- IC West 14, Xavier 15.