Want a simple formula to turnaround a season, ask the United South Central girls’ basketball team about its defense.

The Rebels have limited opponents to 32 points a game during their recent winning streak and USC’s stifling defense led to a 45-34 victory over Waterville-Elysian-Morristown Friday in Wells.

The Rebels (12-6, 10-2 Gopher) won their eighth consecutive game and moved into a tie with Buccaneers for second place in the conference by forcing turnovers in the halfcourt and controlling the glass.

“The team has bought into our defense,” said USC head coach Stu Hendrickson. “In this eight-game streak we are only giving up 32 points per game. You win a lot of games if you only give up 32 points a game, the defense is what is doing it.”

The Rebels denied entry passes and stepped into the passing lanes all night as they forced the Buccaneers to commit 26 turnovers. USC held W-E-M to a 10-of-35 from the field and 3-of-9 from three-point territory.

The Rebels made up for a Jan. 5 49-41 loss to W-E-M and put USC in a position to possibly claim a share of the conference title.

“Key win for us, keeps us in the conference race,” Hendrickson said. “Right now we’re are going to be Waterville fans. If they can knock off New Richland later in the year we can share first place with all three schools, but we have to take care of our own business.”

Junior Val Sahr became the Rebels’ all-time leader in rebounds by collecting 12 rebounds to push her career mark to 683 rebounds.

“Val is a special player, special athlete.” Hendrickson said.

Sahr also led USC in scoring with 12 points, most of which came from the interior.

The Rebels shot 33 percent from the field but made up for that by attacking the hoop and drawing fouls. USC went 13 of 21 from the free throw line.

USC 45, W-E-M 34

WEM 16 18 — 34

USC 20 25 — 45

W-E-M scoring: Amanda Barton 14, Lindsay Ayers 8, Cassie Masberg 6, Ashley Strangler 4, Anika Kinniry 2.

USC scoring: Val Sahr 12, Katie Ovrebo 8, Taylor Chose 8, Kayla Stenzel 8, Taylor Allis 5, Danielle Koestler 4.