For the first time this season, the Lutheran girls basketball team has a winning streak.

The Crusaders defeated visiting Christian, 51-43, on Thursday after getting past Hustisford last Saturday.

Lutheran improved to 3-9 in the Big East Conference and 4-12 overall by jumping out to a 37-19 lead at halftime.

Josie Pingel’s 15 points matched her season high – it was the third time she scored that many this season – and Emma Egbert, who had a season-best 18 points against Hustisford, added 12.

Katelyn Witte finished with eight points and Hailey Schimberg contributed seven.

It was the fourth straight loss and 12^th in the last 13 games for Christian, which fell to 2-10 in the conference and 2-14 overall.

Christian’s Maddie Zylstra also had her most points of the season by finishing with 15 to go with nine rebounds. She managed only three points in her previous outing.

“She was being more aggressive, powering up and making and finishing her layups underneath,” Eagles’ coach Brad Bulkow said. “It was good to see her do that. And we switched our offense a little, too, getting her more established in the low post to get the ball to her.”

Christian rallied in the second half by outscoring Lutheran, 24-14.

“It took us awhile to get our intensity up,” Bulkow said. “The girls finally increased their intensity a little bit in the second half.