It is hard to win when you score 34 points, shoot 30 percent from the field and commit 18 turnovers.

But Palatine’s girls basketball team did just that.

Overcoming a dismal shooting night and sloppy ballhandling, Palatine defeated Crystal Lake South with hard nosed, stifling defense. Holding South to 8 field goals, 22 percent shooting and 5 first-half points, the defensive minded Pirates (5-0) were able to post a 34-23 win over the Gators at the Dundee-Crown Girls Thanksgiving Tournament Tuesday night.

“Nothing was working on offense, but our defense was spectacular,” said Palatine coach Leslie Schock. “We really dialed in the defense. Our press was effective and we didn’t give them many easy shots.”

The Pirates’ defense was especially effective on South junior standout Sara Mickow, who scored only 9 points and made only 2-of-10 from the floor.

“Mickow is an excellent player and we game planned to stop her,” said Schock. “Our defense and double team was effective on her.”

Offensively challenged all night the Gators, who made only 2-of-15 shots in the first half, trailed 15-5 at halftime.

The closest South (2-2) got in the second half was 25-20 on a layup by Lauren Del Vecchio with 7:22 left in the game.

“We don’t score on our first three possessions of the game and that set the tone,” said South coach Kyle McCaughn. “We had good enough shots we just couldn’t make enough.”

Jamie Loyd led Palatine with 12 points including 2 3-pointers.