White River Valley ended a long drought against Sullivan in girls’ basketball Monday night.

The Lady Wolverines hadn’t beaten the Golden Arrows in eight seasons, but they got an all-around performance from several players to pick up a 44-36 high school basketball victory at home.

The victory kept WRV perfect on the young season after two games.

“I'm really proud of our girls for picking up a big win this early in the season,” WRV Coach April Settles said. “Sullivan is a program we haven’t beaten in eight years, so this is a great accomplishment for our team.

“We want to continue building on this positive momentum while recognizing that we still have a lot of room for improvement.”

The Lady Wolverines got off to a slow start Monday but were able to turn things around thanks to an improved offense in the second quarter.

WRV trailed 7-5 after the first eight minutes but found its touch from behind the 3-point line in the second. Alli Graves, Payton LaFever, and Brielle Cardinal all hit 3-pointers to help the Lady Wolverines take an 18-16 margin into halftime.

Maddy Settles, who led WRV in scoring in the opener against West Vigo, was held scoreless in the first half.

Settles and her sister, Maddy, both found their offensive rhythm in the second half. Maddy scored 12 points, including seven in the third, and Molly had eight for the game and three in the third.

The Lady Wolverines led 28-24 heading into the fourth quarter.

Coach Settles said the Golden Arrows increased their defensive pressure in the final quarter, and she was proud of how her team responded. The Lady Wolverines outscored Sullivan 16-12 to seal the nonconference win.

Sullivan’s Rigley Goodman led all scorers with 23 points, though no other Golden Arrow had more than five.

Maddy Settles pulled down nine rebounds for WRV, including five offensive boards. She also recorded three steals, a block and 12 deflections while committing no turnovers.

LaFever had six rebounds, four assists and three steals. She was a perfect 4 for 4 at the free throw line.

Graves contributed nine points, connecting on three 3-pointers while adding two rebounds, two assists, and two steals.

Molly Settles added seven rebounds, three assists, and three steals.

Cardinal had three points, while Lilly-Ann Livingston rounded out the scoring with two points and two rebounds. Livingston also contributed eight defensive deflections.

WRV finished with 27 rebounds, including nine offensive boards, and 10 assists.

“I know we are a better shooting team than our field goal percentage indicates,” Coach Settles added. “We have some really good shooters, and those shots will start falling as we continue to get more comfortable and find our rhythm. The important thing is that we continue to improve each day, take care of the basketball and build on the things we’re doing well.”

The Lady Wolverines return to action Friday at home when they face Seven Oaks in a varsity-only contest scheduled for 7 p.m.