ONTARIO — The most anticipated team in the history of the Ontario Christian girls basketball program played its first home game of the season Thursday night and the excitement got to the Knights as they fell behind early. It didn’t last long. A 51-13 run over the final 12 minutes of the first half erased that deficit in a big way and sent the Knights to a 81-54 nonleague victory over Windward. The Knights (10-0), playing their first game since becoming Maxpreps.com’s No. 1-ranked team in the nation Tuesday, led by as many as 41 points (71-30) in the third quarter. In the end it was dominant, but first-year head coach Aundre Cummings didn’t like what he saw early from his team and called a timeout just 2:09 into the game. “They were anxious,” Cummings said. “First time their friends were able to see them play this year. When I called the timeout, I told them to calm down. We fixed it. Thank God for the best point guard in the country (sophomore Kaleena Smith).” Smith scored all 20 of her first-half points during that 51-13 run, making 4 of 5 shots from 3-point range. She finished the game with 28 points, five assists and three steals. She thought the timeout was a good one and agreed that the team was anxious. “We got going, especially with the press,” Smith said. “I feel that’s one major key that gets us going. (We were) feeding off the energy that the crowd brought.” Windward (6-4), the No. 2 seed in the CIF Southern Section Division 1 playoffs last year, led 7-3 before Ontario Christian got going with a 3-pointer by freshman Sydney Douglas. Douglas finished with 13 points and five rebounds. Fellow freshman Tatianna Griffin had 23 points, 12 rebounds and four assists. “I feel like we came out pretty scared and nervous,” Griffin admitted. “I feel like as the game went on after he called that timeout we just started getting comfortable and went on a run from there.” While the Knights did open up a big lead and were never threatened after that first half run, Cummings had concerns. He removed all of his starters midway through the fourth quarter (although he later re-inserted Dani Robinson). Windward, with most of its top players still in the game, used a pressing defense to cut into the deficit. “We need more depth,” Cummings said. “Ultimately, that (starters) is who they’re going to have to prepare for, if they want legitimate minutes. I know Windward’s coach (Rachel Schrote) and I knew she’d do that. I didn’t like the outcome of that, but that’s OK.” Related Articles High School Sports | IE Varsity’s high school boys basketball rankings, Dec. 10 High School Sports | IE Varsity’s high school girls basketball rankings, Dec. 10 High School Sports | Inland girls athlete of the week: Renice Gonzalez, Colony High School Sports | Inland boys athlete of the week: Lawrence Sanford, Vista Murrieta High School Sports | Inland cross country roundup: Turk, Blade compete at NXN; IE advances two to Foot Locker Nationals Cummings did find a big positive however in the play of senior transfer Alanna Neale, who scored only six points but grabbed seven rebounds. “Her defense was amazing,” Cummings said. “She unselfishly plays defense. I think that’s what every Division I school is going to like about her. She’s going to end up at a really good school.” Thursday was Ontario Christian’s last home game until they start their Knight Time Classic on Dec. 26. Before then, they are at Bishop Montgomery Saturday and at the Nike Tournament of Champions beginning next Wednesday.