LYNN — What’s more challenging: a championship, or a title defense?

When it comes to this St. Mary’s girls basketball program – currently riding its three-peat – it may be the title defense. 

“You can’t just rest on the fact that we have banners hanging and everybody knows who we are,” said St. Mary’s head coach and Athletic Director Jeff Newhall. 

Just look at what his Spartans had to fight through Monday night at the Tony C. Gymnasium. No. 12 Apponequet Regional entered with a 20-3 record and defeated Arlington Catholic by nearly 30 points the previous round.

“That’s a 20-win team… they haven’t lost in over a month,” Newhall said.

But the No. 5 Spartans, 18-6, were up to the challenge in a 68-40 win.

“We’re going to get everyone’s best shot, but shame on us if they don’t get our best shot,” said Newhall, whose team advanced to the Division 3 Elite 8 at No. 4 Hanover (TBD). “That was the message.”

As for Monday night, aka, “One of the most complete games we’ve played all year,” according to Newhall, it was far from easy. 

Apponequet’s crowd traveled well, and point guard Addison Taylor put the gym on notice with a spin-and-score to open the game – a notice that the Lakers would come to play.

“I think she did a great job,” Newhall said. “She hit some funky shots on the run and she’s got a great shot from outside.”

Add a few turnovers – and airballs – from the Spartans, and they led just 9-7 after one.

Newhall thought “We were a little nervous,” but for the second consecutive game, added that Juliana Conte provided a much-needed spark off the bench.

The sharpshooter connected twice from downtown, giving her side some breathing room.

“She was in the game for less than five seconds and made a three,” Newhall said. “Then, two possessions later, she hit another one. That kind of opened it up a little bit, then we just started moving the ball.”

That, they did. St. Mary’s went on a 20-7 run in the second quarter and jumped ahead, 29-17, at the break.

Newhall spoke about second, third, and fourth passes leading to better shots.

“We started to feel the juice a little bit and were going up-and-down,” he said. “I was starting to wish halftime wouldn’t come.”

As for the quarter’s top highlight, Bella Owumi (13 points, 10 rebounds) let out her passion after a steal, which was followed by an and-1 at the rim. 

“I think I’m always intense,” Owumi said. “Honestly, I think they (Lakers) lost courage and started losing hope.”

Even though Newhall didn’t want halftime to come, he felt better when “We went out in the third quarter and played extremely well.”

Reese Matela (12 points) scored six quick ones at the rim. Later in the frame, St. Mary’s hit back-to-back-to-back triples from Sky Watson, Jillian Roberts, and Lily Norton (10 points, 7 assists).

“We shot the ball very well, and I think a lot of that is because of the ball-movement,” said Newhall, whose side led, 53-29, after three. “We had a pretty good presence in the post tonight between Bella, Reese, and Charleigh (Green).”

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. With a victorious St. Mary’s student section coming alive, Roberts (14 points) hit three left-elbow threes in the fourth quarter to put a lid on the Lakers.

Now, it’s on to Hanover, which sports a record of 17-5.

“Keep going,” Owumi said. “We can’t stop and settle.”