It took a while for the offense to get going, but once it did the Oak Mountain Academy girls basketball team eased to a 41-18 victory at home against Heirway Christian on Monday night.

There was a slight delay to the start of the game possibly causing the cold start for both teams — the Lady Warriors (15-1, 3-0) led just 4-1 after one quarter. Then when OMA settled down it was smooth sailing.

"I think they forgot their uniforms so that threw us off a little bit. We usually come out here, get warmed up, go in the locker room and come out and play. They cooled off for a long time and might have cooled off too much, but I'll take it," OMA coach Terrell Barkley said. "Our defense [Monday] helped us a little bit. Offensively we were slow, but our defense kept us where we need to be. That's something I can be proud about."

The combination of Jordan Francis and Jessi Fuller was the catalyst to the start as Fuller knocked down a pair of 3-pointers in the first half six of the Lady Warriors' 15 at the break. Fuller finished with 12 points — on four 3-pointers — while Francis had six assists, four points and two rebounds in the win.

"Also when Jordan's shooting because they don't know who to guard. They can run at Jessi, but she can give it to Jordan and vice versa. They're a good combo," Barkley said.

Oak Mountain took a 15-6 lead into halftime, but used a 15-2 third quarter to put the game away.

While Fuller was working from the outside it was Meredith Sammon working inside. Sammon tied Fuller for the game-high scoring with 12 points, but added 17 rebounds for the double-double effort.

The win helps solidify the Lady Warriors region hopes as they have a firm hold on the top spot making the path to a region title and a No. 1 playoff seed that much easier.

"We want to be first in our region because it sets you up when it comes to state. Right now we're 3-0. [Heirway Christian] is the second place team, but we've beat them twice, so that gives us the tie breaker. I think if we beat Dawson Street a second time that guarantees us [the No. 1 seed]. We're set up where we want to be, we're on the right track. I just want to be playing a little better come February," Barkley said.

A win in tonight's game against Solid Rock would place OMA one step closer to one of many goals this season. The Lady Warriors will remain home for the 6 p.m. tip.

"It's their first year with a team, but they've got some pretty good girls. I don't know much about them, but it's [at home] and any time we play here I feel pretty good about it," Barkley said.